Volume 24 | Number 8076 | 2 RiyalsFriday 15 November 2019 | 18 Rabia I 1441 www.thepeninsula.qa

BUSINESS | 15 SPORT | 20

Fierce contests expected as Qatar gears up for action

QDB to assess state of

manufacturing sector in Qatar

Amir performs Istisqaa prayer

QNA/THE PENINSULA DOHA

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani performed the Istisqaa (rain-seeking) prayer at Al Wajbah prayer ground yesterday morning.

H H Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, Personal Rep-resentative of H H the Amir, H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani and H E Sheikh Jassim bin Khalifa Al Thani took part in the prayer.

Their Excellencies Sheikhs and Ministers, H E the Speaker of the Shura Council, as well as a gathering of citizens also per-formed the prayer.

In a sermon after the prayer, the Judge at the Court of Cas-sation and member of the Supreme Judicial Council Sheikh Dr. Thaqil bin Sayer Al Shammari called on the worshippers to repent, ask Allah for forgiveness,

avoid sedition and make suppli-cation to Almighty Allah for rainfall.

Dr. Al Shammari also urged people to purify their money and to pay Zakat, which are one of the reasons for rainfall.

Meanwhile, the Istisqaa prayer yesterday was performed in the morning at 6:05am, across the country. The Ministry of Awqaf on Monday published a list including names of 78 mosques and prayer grounds located in dif-ferent parts of the country, where the prayers have been performed at the same time.

In a similar way, students at different levels of education were also performed the Istisqaa prayer in their schools. The prayer was performed in the schools upon request from the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and with the partici-pation of teachers and adminis-trative staffs.

The Istisqaa prayer yesterday was performed at 6:05am, across the country. Students at different levels of education were joined by teachers and administrative staff in the prayer held at schools.

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani performs the Istisqaa prayer at Al Wajbah prayer ground yesterday. �P2

Qatari-European Friendship Association in EU Parliament set upQNA BRUSSELS

The establishment of the Qatari-European Friendship Association in the European Parliament took place in Brussels, Belgium. The first meeting was held at the European Parliament, chaired by the Ambas-sador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Mission of the State of Qatar to the European Union, Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, and the elected President of the Asso-ciation and MP of the European Parliament for the People’s Party, Christian Silvio Bossoa.

Bossoa delivered a speech at

the beginning of the meeting in which he expressed his delight at the formation of this association, and stressed that it will work to strengthen relations between the State of Qatar and the European Parliament in various economic, political and cultural aspects.

Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Mission of the State of Qatar welcomed the deputies who joined the Qatari-European Friendship Association in the European Parliament, explaining that it will work to develop relations between the State of Qatar and the European Parliament. �P3

Qatar’s first learning festival opensFAZEENA SALEEM THE PENINSULA

Qatar’s first experiential learning festival with a wide range of innovative activities opened in Education City yesterday.

‘Doha Learning Days,’ through its activities, aims to be a catalyst for education that focuses on re-centering learning human values.

The Festival organised by World Innovation Summit (WISE), an initiative of Qatar Foundation (QF), and powered by ExxonMobil has brought together over 50 local and inter-national organisations to cele-brate education over six days.

The opening ceremony of ‘Doha Learning Days’ featured a performance ‘Digital Detox’ with characters developed by QF’s

Qatar Reads, together with musi-cians from the Qatar Music Academy Youth Orchestra and a script narrated by Actory. The act synthesised with the interplay between modern tech-nology and traditional culture and values.

The Festival is considered to be a celebration of education which aims to take new experi-ences and skills into the heart of the local community.

“In a world increasingly defined by the technology around us, we’ve worked closely with our partners to present a programme that places the human element at the forefront of every learning experience. Whether it be the students working collaboratively to tackle questions around the climate crisis, families coming together

to explore issues of wellbeing and mental health through play, or just interacting with members of the community through art, music, or simple conversation. Doha Learning Days aims to bring us all together in an exciting, exploration of learning,” said Dr Ameena Hussain, Director of Programs, WISE.

“This is a festival built by the community for the community. Over the past year we have created a new relationship with the community and will continue to flourish as the festival grows each year,” she added.

Stavros N Yiannouka, CEO of WISE, Mohammed Al Hashimi, Vice President and Director of Government & Public Affairs, ExxonMobil and several others including students and families were present during

the opening of the Festival. Held in partnership with the

Qatar Rail, Ooredoo, and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the festival aims to turn Doha into a hub for learning in the lead up to the global WISE Summit to be held next week in Doha.

“In November 2018 WISE convened a group of local stake-holders and asked them what they would like to experience in learning. With their feedback, this first experimental ‘Doha Learning Days,’ has brought together the local community in an exciting exploration of edu-cation through a range of inno-vative and meaningful activities in collaboration with local and international partners,” said Farah Abel, Policy development Officer, WISE. �P3

Qatar pledges $63m to UNQNA NEW YORK

The State of Qatar has pledged $62.78m in voluntary contribu-tions to core resources of a number of United Nations (UN) agencies, departments and programmes in 2020, empha-sising that the State attaches the utmost importance to strength-ening its partnership with the UN system in order to meet common global challenges.

This came in a statement made by Permanent Represent-ative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Ambassador H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bint Saif Al Thani, at the United Nations Pledging Conference for Devel-opment Activities held at the UN headquarters in New York.

H E the Ambassador explained that contributions to core resources would be dis-tributed to a range of UN offices, where $15m would be allocated to the UN Office of Counter-Ter-rorism, $10m to the UN Office for the Coordination of Human-itarian Affairs (OCHA), $8m to UNRWA, $8m to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and $5m will go to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Other contributions will also be allocated to UNICEF, which would be allocated $4m, $1m to the UN Office High Commis-sioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and $1m to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), $1m to the UN Trust Fund for Resident

Coordinator system, $5m to Office of the Special Represent-ative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and $5m to the Office of the United Nations Secretary-Gen-eral’s Envoy on Youth.

Other voluntary contribu-tions would amount to $5m for the digitisation of United Nations documents, as well as $250,000 to support the organ-isation of the International Symposium on Youth Partici-pation in Mediation Processes in December 2020 to be held in Doha to celebrate the fifth anni-versary of the establishment of the Youth Peace and Security Agenda and $30,000 would be allocated to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund on Combat Contem-porary Forms of Slavery. �P3

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, H E Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, met yesterday in Washington, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland, Pekka Haavisto. They reviewed bilateral relations and ways of enhancing them, besides issues of common concern.

Deputy PM meets Finland’s Foreign Minister

02 FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019HOME

Amir holds telephone talks with President of Cote d’Ivoire

DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

yesterday held via tele-

phone a conversation with

the President of the Repub-

lic of Cote d’Ivoire, Alassane

Ouattara. During the phone

call, they reviewed bilat-

eral relations and ways of

enhancing them, in addi-

tion to a number of issues of

common concern. QNA

QUITO: Vice-President of

the Republic of Ecuador,

Otto Sonnenholzner met

with Ambassador of Qatar

to Ecuador, Mohammed

Ali Al Malki. They reviewed

bilateral relations and issues

of common concern. QNA

OFFICIAL NEWS

WEATHER TODAY

Courtesy: Qatar Meteorology Department

Minimum Maximum22oC 30oC

HIGH TIDE 06:25 – 17:01 LOW TIDE 00:12 – 13:42

Scattered clouds and mild by night.

FAJRSHOROOK

04. 32 AM05. 51 AM

11. 19 AM02. 24 PM

04. 48 PM06. 18 PM

ZUHRASR

MAGHRIBISHA

PRAYER TIMINGS Amir performs Istisqaa prayer at Al Wajbah prayer ground

School students perform rain-seeking prayer

THE PENINSULA DOHA

Students at various levels of education in both boys and girls schools performed the Istisqa

(rain-seeking) prayer yesterday morning.

The students performed prayer in their schools with the participation of the adminis-trative and teaching staff and

their parents, said Ministry of Education and Higher Education in a release. The Ministry asked, in a circular, to schools to hold Istisqa prayer in all schools.

Schools were also asked to

urge students and staff to perform Istisqa prayer, and stressed the importance of communication with parents to urge their children to come early to perform prayers in the school in prayers places and free

spaces. The schools of Qatar are keen to perform Istisqa prayers every year with the participation of students and staff, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

IEB Qatar Chapter holds Engineer’s DayTHE PENINSULA/DOHA

Institution of Engineers Bang-ladesh Qatar chapter’ (IEB QC) observed its Engineer’s Day with theme ‘Research and study in Engineering for Sustainability’, recently at Oryx Rotana.

The Ambassador of Bang-ladesh to Qatar Ashud Ahmed, President of Arab Engineer’s Association, President and rep-resentatives of Institution of Engineer’s -India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladeshi, entrepre-neurs and large number of

members of IEB QC with family were present on the occasion.

Ashud Ahmed in his speech expressed pleasure in witnessing IEB QC activities. He emphasised on the ‘work of community welfare services towards Bang-ladeshi residing and working in Qatar’ and ‘involvement in stra-tegic planning and strengthening financial activities between Bangladesh and Qatar’ by IEB members in Qatar.

IEB Qatar chapter aims a common platform for Bangla-deshi Engineers to promote the

professional image and con-tribute in development of Qatar. In his address chapter Chairman Engineer Shafiqul Alam said that members of IEB

residing in Qatar has put their marks in all relevant fields of engineering.

A technical presentation on ‘Mankind’s sustainability through

evolutionary wisdom’ was delivered by Engr Humayun Kabir. Event concluded after vote of thanks by Engr Mokammel Haque followed by dinner.

The Ambassador of Bangladesh to Qatar, Ashud Ahmed, and other guests at the event.

Partial traffic shift on Corniche Street between Sheraton, QNT Intersections

THE PENINSULA/DOHA

To facilitate completion of construction works on the pedestrian underpass that aims to provide safe pedestrian crossings, the Public Works Authority ‘Ashghal’ announced yesterday a temporary traffic shift onto parallel lanes on Al Corniche Street between Al Sheraton Intersection and Qatar National Theatre (QNT) Inter-section. In coordination with the General Directorate of Traffic, this change will be imple-mented starting from tomorrow for a period of six months.

During this period, traffic on Al Corniche Street coming from Doha and heading towards Al Dafna between National Library and Sheraton Intersections as well as traffic coming from Al Dafna and heading towards Doha between National Library and Qatar National Theatre Intersections will be shifted onto parallel lanes. The Public Works Authority will install road signs advising motorists of the temporary traffic shift and request all road users to abide by the speed limit and follow the road signs to ensure their safety.

Qatar, US renew commitment to combating terrorismQNA/WASHINGTON

The 3rd Qatari-American Dialogue on Counter-Terrorism was held in Washington, DC. Qatar’s delegation was headed by Chairman of the National Counter Terrorism Committee Major-General Eng. Abdulaziz Al Ansari, while the US side was headed by the Coordinator for Counterterrorism in the US Department of State Nathan Sales.

The dialogue sessions at the US Department of State focused on four key themes, including regional threats; strategic partnerships; topics related to anti-terrorism, anti-money laundering and terrorist financing laws and aviation security and information exchange, as well as the

The officials posing for group photo.

exchange of experiences on the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Positive spirit and con-structive outlook between the two sides

prevailed the dialogue sessions, where both parties renewed their commitment to the existing strategic partnership and

the continuity of cooperation in com-bating terrorism in accordance with the related international resolution.

Ecuador Vice-President meets Qatari envoy

Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani performing the Istisqaa (rain-seeking) prayer at the Al Wajbah prayer ground yesterday. Their Excellencies Sheikhs and Ministers also attended the prayer.

03FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019 HOME

Qatar, Thailand hold round of political consultationsQNA/BANGKOK

A round of political consultations between the foreign ministries of the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Thailand was held in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Qatari side was led by the Sec-retary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H E Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi and the Thai side was led by Vice Minister of the Min-istry of Foreign Affairs Vijavat Isarab-hakdi. During the round of political con-sultations, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways of sup-porting and enhancing them, in addition to a number of issues of common concern.

Qatar reiterates support for least developed countriesQNA/NEW YORK

Qatar has reiterated its commitment to supporting development efforts for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and assisting them in achieving the Sustainable Devel-opment Goals (SDGs).

This came in a speech delivered by Permanent Repre-sentative of Qatar to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani at the meeting held at the UN Head-quarters in New York on the development of LDCs and to follow up the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) for the decade 2011-20.

Permanent Representative to the UN expressed Qatar’s welcome to host the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in March 2021. She stressed that hosting this conference reflects Qatar’s commitment to ensure pros-perity for all and transform the aspirations of Qatar National Vision 2030 to a fact for brothers in the Least Developed

Countries. The Conference also reflects a sense of solidarity to ensure the economic, sus-tainable and inclusive growth of LDCs, which would have pos-itive repercussions on the global economic landscape, she added.

Sheikha Alya emphasised the responsibility to ensure the success of the fifth Conference to achieve its goals in order to serve as a building block in the ongoing efforts in supporting the least developed countries, noting Qatar’s efforts to hold the con-ference with the United Nations and with the real stakeholders.

She pointed out that as part of its efforts to make the fifth conference a success, Qatar con-tributed $500,000 to the trust fund for the conference and its preparatory process.

Ambassador Sheikha Alya stressed Qatar’s support to LDCs through a number of initiatives, expressing Qatar’s pride as an active, responsible and credible partner in supporting LDCs to overcome obstacles to sus-tainable development and eco-nomic growth.

The Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations, Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, is speaking at the meeting.

Qatar’s first learning festival opensFROM PAGE 1

“The Festival aim to bring more than 900 students and welcome the public over the next coming days,” she added.

Including the learning Labs, wellbeing, community activities and mentoring sessions at the Festival offer a multitude of sessions and interactive learning activities to the local community.

The Girls’ Empowerment Day on November 17, Sunday will include a series of female empow-erment talks exploring themes

related to leadership and inno-vation. The Torba Farmers Market is also launched in parallel to Doha Learning Days and visitors can find out how to lead more sustainable lifestyles.

‘Doha Learning Days,’ being held at Ceremonial Court and Green Spine in Education City is open and free for the public until November 19. For more information about Doha Learning Days, and to register for specific sessions, visit: www.w i s e - q a t a r . o r g / w i s e - 2 0 1 9 /doha-learning-days/

The musicians from the Qatar Music Academy Youth Orchestra performing during the opening of ‘Doha Learning Days’ at Ceremonial Court in Education City, yesterday.

All five winter vegetable markets openSANAULLAH ATAULLAH THE PENINSULA

The Agricultural Affairs Department at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), opened yesterday all five winter vegetable markets for the season 2019-20 offering fresh vegetables and herbs.

The winter vegetable markets, located in Al Shee-haniya, Al Mazrouha, Al Wakrah, Al Khor-Al Zakhira and Al Shamal will run from Thursday to Saturday from 7am to 3pm throughout the season.

The markets offered on the

opening day yesterday a number of farm fresh local vegetables in large quantity including cucumber, zucchini, eggplants, pumpkin.

Leafy vegetables and herbs like spinach and coriander were also available at the markets.

The markets offered agricul-tural products directly to cus-tomers without middlemen at competitive prices. “A box of cucumber of about 7kg was available at Al Mazrouha winter vegetable market at QR20,” Mohamad Iqbal, A vendor at the Market told The Peninsula.

He said that a box of eggplant

of 6kg was priced QR10 and a box of zucchini of 7kg was available at QR 22. “Spinach was sold yesterday at QR7 for a box of seven bundles at the rate of QR1 for a bundle,” said Iqbal.

He said that that harvest of vegetables at his farm began by the end of last month for this season. A total of 135 local farms are participating in the winter vegetable markets for this season, 15 farms more compared to the previous season, said the Ministry of Municipality and Environment in a release.

The highest number of farms 39 are participating in Al

Khor-Al Zakhira winter vege-table market followed by Al Maz-rouha at 34. The winter vegetable markets in Al Wakrah, Al Shee-haniya and Al Shamal are running with the participation of 27, 20 and 15 farms respectively.

The increase in participation this season shows the confidence of farm owners in winter vege-table markets provided by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment as platform for marketing their products. The markets provide options to the consumers and help reduce the prices of agricultural products in

local market.According to the Ministry

over 31 percent of total local agricultural products were sold out through the marketing

platforms provided by the MME at major commercial outlets throughout the country and winter vegetable markets shared 11 percent of the total sales.

A customer buying vegetables from winter vegetable market that opened yesterday

Qatar attends meeting of Committee for Trade Cooperation in MuscatQNA/MUSCAT

The State of Qatar participated in the 58th meeting of the Committee for Trade Cooper-ation, the 46th meeting of the Committee for Industrial Coop-eration and the first meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Standardisation Affairs, held in Muscat, Oman, with a dele-gation headed by H E Minister of Commerce and Industry, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari.

The Committee for Trade Cooperation discussed several

issues of common concern, including trade issues, common challenges facing GCC countries, ways to activate joint GCC work in the field of trade, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives for SMEs in the GCC, and ways to integrate these com-pagnies in the fields of economic development, in addition to iden-tifying a common Gulf position on issues related to WTO aspects.

During the meeting of the Committee for Trade Cooper-ation, Their Excellencies the Min-isters welcomed the holding of

the annual forum for entrepre-neurs during the year 2020 in Dhofar, Oman.

For its part, the Committee for Industrial Cooperation dis-cussed during the 46th meeting a number of issues of concern to the industrial environment in the GCC countries, particularly the unified industrial regulation law, the obstacles and difficulties facing the iron industry sector, as well as the free movement of national goods between GCC countries without customs restrictions.

Minister of Commerce and Industry, H E Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, heading the Qatari delegation at the meeting in Muscat.

Qatari-European Friendship Association in EU Parliament set upFROM PAGE 1

He stressed the importance of parliamentary diplomatic work in general, noting the level of cooperation and the growing development of relations between the State of Qatar and the European Union thanks to the harmony and consensus of vision between the two sides, especially after the signing of the cooperation agreement between the State of Qatar and the European Union in March 2018.

The Ambassador touched on the achievements of the State of Qatar over the past years in various fields, whether in the field of natural gas or in the areas of foreign investment and sports, in addition to political activity.

At the end of his speech, he expressed his hope that the Asso-ciation will succeed in devel-oping and strengthening rela-tions between the State of Qatar

and the European Union to serve the common interests, and called for efforts to develop these relations.

The main objective of the Association is to strengthen rela-tions between the European

Parliament and the State of Qatar in particular in various fields, to defend mutual interests and to promote bilateral cooperation through the organization of mutual meetings and visits to the Qatari and European sides.

The Association includes deputies from the various parties in the European Parliament, especially those interested in the role of the State of Qatar and its foreign development and edu-cation policy.

Qatar pledges $63m to UNFROM PAGE 1

Her Excellency stressed that the State of Qatar seeks to improve the ability of the UN to respond quickly and in a con-sistent manner to the millions of people in need in different parts of the world.

She reiterated Qatar’s keenness to support efforts to strengthen the UN’s development system to improve its capacity and efficiency to better serve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

H E the Ambassador pointed to Qatar’s announcement in 2018 to provide the UN support on its core resources totalling $500m, noting that Qatar has become among the list of the largest partners supporting the UN in various fields.

The Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Belgium and Head of Mission to the European Union, Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Al Khulaifi, chairing the meeting in Brussels, Belgium, yesterday.

The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H E Dr. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Hammadi, with other officials attending the meeting.

04 FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA

Fragile truce in Gaza; toll jumps to 34AP/GAZA CITY

A cease-fire between Israel and Gaza’s Islamic Jihad group appeared to be holding yesterday despite an earlier barrage of rocket fire that briefly disrupted a truce to end two days of intense fighting in which at least 34 Palestinians, including three women and eight children were martyred, and paralysed parts of Israel.

Before the truce was announced, a pre-dawn Israeli airstrike killed eight members of the same family in Gaza. Among them were five children, the youngest 7 years old.

It was the deadliest single attack since a bruising 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, the larger militant group that rules Gaza. Islamic Jihad claimed no link to the family and the Israeli military offered no details on the strike. Israel hailed the Gaza operation as a victory, defending its policy of targeting Palestinian leaders in their homes despite civilian deaths and vowed to con-tinue the tactic. Islamic Jihad said it had succeeded in getting Israel to agree to a cease-fire based on several demands, including a halt to Israeli targeted killings of the group’s leaders.

Islamic Jihad spokesman Musab Al Berim said the Egyptian-brokered deal went into effect at 5:30 am. An Israeli military spokesman tweeted that the Gaza operation “is over.”

Some restrictions were lifted on residents of southern Israel and traffic returned to the streets of the Palestinian coastal territory. But after hours of calm, a barrage of five rockets blasted out of the territory, setting off air raid sirens in southern Israel and testing the fragile truce. No group claimed responsibility for the new wave of rockets, but Israel did not immediately respond and quiet quickly returned.

The fighting erupted early on Tuesday after Israel killed a senior commander of the Ira-nian-backed group who Israel said was behind a string of rocket attacks and was planning a cross-border infiltration.

The targeted killing by Israel sparked the heaviest fighting with Gaza fighters since May. Islamic Jihad fired some 450 rockets towards Israel, while Israel responded with scores of airstrikes. However, Gaza’s ruling Hamas stayed out of the latest escalation — an indication it would be brief.

Israel typically does not pub-licly acknowledge deals with groups, and yesterday officials said the only unwritten agreement was that Israel would hold fire so long as Islamic Jihad did. Israel’s new defence min-ister, Naftali Bennett, who has long called for tougher action in Gaza, warned that militants were not safe anywhere.

Palestinian officials said 34 people were martyred in the

fighting. They say eight children, including a pair of 7-year-olds, and three women were among the dead. The Abu Malhous family lost eight members when Israeli fighter jets dropped at least two bombs on their ground floor house in Deir Al Balah, in central Gaza. The airstrike flattened the tin-roofed home and pushed it into a large crater, which was littered with clothing, kitchenware and other belongings.

Neighbours said an Islamic

Jihad commander lived in the home that was targeted early yesterday, but he was not there when it was struck. Instead, his brother and seven other family members were killed. None of them were affiliated with the militant group, said the neighbors, who spoke on con-dition of anonymity because they did not want to upset the family.

The rocket fire crippled life across southern Israel and on Tuesday, also in the country’s

heartland in and around Tel Aviv, as nonstop air-raid sirens can-celed schools and forced people indoors. At least three people were lightly wounded from shrapnel or shattered glass. Most rockets landed in open areas or were shot down by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.

The Israeli military’s Home Front command tweeted that it was lifting restrictions in certain areas but leaving them in place in the areas surrounding Gaza.

People inspecting the debris of a building and huge holes after Israeli airstrikes hit the residential area of Khan Yunis in Gaza, yesterday.

Erdogan: Turkey to buy US Patriots but won’t give up S-400sAFP/ANKARA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan insisted Ankara would not give up the Russian S-400 missile defence system to purchase the equivalent US Patriot missiles in comments published yesterday.

“It is out of the question to leave the S-400s and go towards the Patriots when we are at this point” of strengthening relations with Russia, Erdogan told Turkish journalists on board his plane after talks with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

“We said ‘But we would buy the Patriots too’. However, we will also have the S-400,” he added, quoted by Hurriyet daily.

Erdogan had earlier in the interview spoken about Turkey and Russia’s improving bilateral relations, focusing on issues such as natural gas and the rising number of Russian tourists coming to Turkey.

Erdogan said the proposal to buy Patriots in lieu of S-400s was an “affront” to Turkey’s sov-ereign rights. “We absolutely do not think this is right,” he said.

Turkey-US ties are strained over multiple issues including Syria but they are especially tense after Ankara’s purchase of the S-400 system from Moscow.

Despite repeated warnings and the risk of US sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, Turkey has not rowed back from the move.

The act, known as CAATSA, was passed by Congress in 2017 and mandates sanctions for any “significant” purchases of weapons from Russia.

Following talks at the White House, Erdogan and Trump held a press conference on Wednesday in which the US leader said Turkey’s acquisition of the S-400 “creates some very serious challenges for us, and we are talking about it constantly.” He said the two countries’ foreign ministers and national security advisers would “imme-diately work on resolving the S-400 issue”.

The system was in fact delivered to an air base in Ankara this summer. A direct consequence of the purchase was Turkey’s removal from the F-35 fighter jet programme.

Washington had repeatedly said it would not sell US-made F-35 warplanes to countries which operate the S-400 over concerns information about the extent of the stealth capabilities of the fighters getting back to Moscow.

Khamenei grants mass jail pardonAP/TEHRAN

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayat-ollah Ali Khamenei has pardoned thousands of pris-oners including 32 activists and others being held on “security” charges. A report by judiciary website Mizanonline.com said the 32 prisoners are mainly journalists and university students, without providing further details.

The pardon of more than 3,500 prisoners followed the Islamic holiday marking the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) birthday. The mass pardons did not extend to those convicted on for armed oppo-sition to the state. The report says the pardon was requested by the head of the Iranian judiciary, Aya-tollah Ebrahim Raisi, an influential cleric among Iran’s conservatives. In February, Khamenei pardoned more than 50,000 people, the largest number ever covered in a single pardon, in honour of the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution that toppled the coun-try’s pro-West monarchy.

Tear gas grenades kill 4 Iraq protestersAFP/BAGHDAD

Four protesters were killed by tear gas canisters in Baghdad yesterday as security forces tried to snuff out the largest grassroots movement to sweep Iraq in years.

Iraq’s political elite has come under renewed pressure in recent days from both the street and the international community to seriously address calls for reform. The UN, Washington and human rights groups have all criticised Baghdad authorities’ harsh response to the protests, which has left more than 330 people dead since the start of October.

Early yesterday, four

protesters were killed when they were hit by tear gas canisters near the capital’s main protest camp in Tahrir (Liberation) Square, medical sources said.

In heated skirmishes, groups of young men wearing surgical masks and construction helmets tossed back tear gas canisters at riot police stationed behind con-crete blast walls.

The protesters have occupied the square for three weeks, braving live rounds, stun grenades and even machine gun fire. Security forces have relied heavily on tear gas to confine them to Tahrir, and rights groups have accused them of improperly firing the canisters

directly into crowds at close range, shattering protesters’ skulls and chests.

One angry activist reminded security forces that the Shiite religious leadership, or mar-jaiyah, has condemned such excessive violence.

“Didn’t the marjaiyah say forces shouldn’t use live fire?” he yelled angrily. “Doesn’t this count as live fire?”

Just beside him, a demon-strator was carried away after collapsing on the ground, overcome by the potent tear gas.

Yesterday’s deaths marked a resurgence of bloodshed after a few days of relatively peaceful protests in the capital.

Lebanese lay to rest ‘martyr of revolution’AFP CHOUEIFAT, LEBANON

Hundreds of Lebanese yesterday massed for the funeral of a protester who was shot dead during an unprecedented anti-graft street movement that has shaken the country for nearly a month.

Mourners from across the country flooded Choueifat, the hometown of Alaa Abu Fakhr south of Beirut, shouting “revo-lution, revolution”.

Abu Fakhr, aged 39 and a father of three, died on Tuesday when an army officer opened fire as demonstrators blocked roads in the coastal town of

Khalde south of Beirut. He has been dubbed the “Martyr of the Revolution” by protesters who have taken to the streets since October 17 demanding the ouster of a generation of politicians they deem inefficient and corrupt.

Carrying Lebanese flags, mourners joined his family in Choueifat for a religious cer-emony and then the burial.

“We are free revolutionaries and we will continue our movement,” the mourners chanted as they marched behind Abu Fakhr’s coffin, which was draped in the Lebanese flag.

News of his death late Tuesday was met with shock and anger among protesters in Beirut

and major Lebanese cities and towns. Demonstrators that night blocked roads and set tyres and rubbish bins ablaze, then rallied for massive nationwide protests on Wednesday during which they held up pictures of Abu Fakhr.

In the northern port of Tripoli, Lebanon’s second city, a street artist has painted a commemorative mural of him on the facades of a building overlooking Al Nour Square, the main hub of the largely peaceful protests for nearly a month. Abu Fakhr is the second fatality since the start of the demonstrations. Another pro-tester was shot by a man as

demonstrators blocked the airport road.

The protest movement first erupted in opposition to a pro-posed tax on calls made via free phone apps, but it has since grown into a cross-sectarian outcry against everything from perceived state corruption to rampant electricity cuts. Dem-onstrators say they are fed up with the same families domi-nating government institutions since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war. The government stepped down on October 29 but stayed on in a care-taker capacity and no overt efforts have so far been made to form a new one, as an economic crisis has also battered the country.

Teachers strike adds to Libya’s woesAFP/TRIPOLI

A Libyan teachers’ strike over salaries and “phantom” employees has closed schools for the past month in a country where education has already been hard hit by conflict and political turmoil.

The teachers, who earn on average 800 dinars ($620) a month, are demanding the res-ignation of education minister Othman Abdel Jalil and pay rises from Tripoli’s Government of National Accord (GNA). Jalil has ordered the suspension of hundreds of striking teachers and the dismissal of tens of thousands of others who are on the minis-try’s payroll but without ever turning up for work.

Forces capture 3 of pro-Haftar militantsANATOLIA/TRIPOLI

Three of Eastern Libyan fighters led by military commander Khalifa Haftar were captured by the Tripoli-based forces, according to an official statement early yesterday.

Three elements loyal to Haftar were captured in Wadi Al Rabi area, south of Tripoli, according to the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA). GNA’s spokesman Mohammed Qannounu pointed, in a statement, to the death of a civilian and the injury of another as a result of indiscrim-inate shells fired by Haftar’s forces on Salah al-Din area in Tripoli. There was no imme-diate comment from Haftar’s forces on the GNA’s claim.

Forces aligned with Haftar have launched a campaign in April to capture Tripoli from Libya’s internationally recog-nized GNA.

Protesters trying to take down a concrete block wall and advance to the Green Zone during an anti-government protest at Al Khalani Square in central Baghdad, Iraq, yesterday.

Lara, the widow of Alaa Abou Fakher, holds a Lebanese flag as her son gestures during Alaa’s funeral in Choueifat, Lebanon, yesterday.

05FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019 ISLAM

Kindness and compassion of the Prophet

Allah Almighty is Kind, and the Prophet (PBUH) imitated Allah’s example in its perfection by showing kindness to his servants and all creatures without any regard for their beliefs, colours or nationalities. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “God is kind and likes kindness in all things” (Bukhari).

ALI ZOHERY

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught love, kindness and compassion to his people, and was seen to be the most loving, kind, and compas-

sionate of all of them. The Quran men-tions his kind and gentle behavior in these words: “O Messenger of Allah! It is a great Mercy of God that you are gentle and kind towards them; for, had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would all have broken away from you” (Quran 3:159).

There are many instances that show his kindness and gentleness, especially to the weak and the poor. Anas, who was his helper, said: “I served Allah’s Messenger for ten years and he never said to me, ‘Shame’ or ‘Why did you do such-and-such a thing?’ or ‘Why did you not do such-and-such a thing?’” (Bukhari, 2038).

Once he said to his wife: “0 ‘A’ishah! Never turn away any needy man from your door empty-handed. 0 ‘A’ishah! Love the poor; bring them near to you and God will bring you near to Him on the Day of Resurrection”. He also went much further on to say: “Seek me among your weak ones, for you are given pro-vision, or you are given help only by reason of the presence of your weak ones”. (Rahman, Encyclopedia of Seerah, VOL. VIII, p. 151)

Allah Almighty is Kind, and the Prophet (PBUH) imitated Allah’s example in its perfection by showing kindness to his servants and all crea-tures without any regard for their beliefs, colours or nationalities. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “God is kind and likes kindness in all things” (Bukhari, 6601).

His heart ached within him at the corrupt state of his fellow-Makkans and their rejection of One God. The Holy Quran testifies to it in these words: “0 Muhammad, you will, perhaps, consume yourself with grief because the people do not believe” (Quran 26:3).

In Surah Kahf, we read: “Well, 0 Muhammad, it may be that you will kill yourself for their sake out of sorrow if they do not believe in this Message.” (Quran 18:6). And Surah Fatir says: “So let not your life be consumed in grief for their sake.” (Quran 35:8).

He took a great interest in the welfare of all people and had great com-passion for people in trouble. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) imitated the attributes of God par excellence and translated them into practice in the highest form possible for man. Kindness

is an attribute of Allah, which has no limits. It is extensive and encompasses all things and all beings without discrim-ination. Likewise was the kindness of the Prophet (PBUH). He extended it to all beings, both animate and inanimate and benefited all without measure. The Quranic words for the Prophet’s (PBUH) kindness, raufun rahirn (Quran 9:128) are very intensive and comprehensive in meaning and convey the true nature and extent of the Prophet’s (PBUH) kindness to people. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “One of the finest acts of kindness is for a man to treat his fathers’ friends in a kindly way after he has departed” (Abu dawud, 5123)

The issue of treating friends well was also extended to include relations: “He who wishes to have his provision enlarged and his term of life prolonged should treat his relatives well” (Bukhari, 5985). He emphasised on this matter because he deeply held the view that “Only kindness prolongs life, and a

person is deprived of provisions for the faults he commits” (Ibn Majah).

Bahz bin Hakim, on his father’s authority, said that his grandfather told him that he had asked Allah’s Messenger to whom he should show kindness and that the Prophet (PBUH) had replied: “Your mother.” He asked who came next and he replied: “Your mother.” He asked who came next and he replied for the third time: “Your mother.” He again asked who came next and he replied: “Your father, then your relatives in order of relationship” (Abu dawud, 5120).

He dwelled on the issue of treating orphans humanely as he stated that “The best house among the Muslims is one which contains an orphan who is well treated, and the worst house among the Muslims is one which contains an orphan who is badly treated” (Ibn Majah, 3679).

This means that the Prophet (PBUH) cautioned his followers against general maltreatment of anyone regardless of

his status. By extending good treatment from friends to relatives and now to neighbors, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was intent in making all humans inter-dependent as he emphasised in the fol-lowing words: “All creatures are Allah’s dependants, and those dearest to God are the ones who treat His dependants kindly” (Rahman, VOL VIII, p. 154).

He emphasised the kind treatment of women again and again in his speeches: Treat women kindly, since they are your helpers;... you have your rights upon your wives and they have their rights upon you. Your right is that they shall not allow anyone you dislike to enter your bed or your home, and their right is that you should treat them well. (from the Farewell Sermon of the Prophet, peace be upon him)

Once a number of women com-plained to the Prophet’s (PBUH) wives about their ill-treatment by their hus-bands. On hearing of this, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Such persons among you

are not good persons.” (Abu Dawud, 1834).

This condemnation by the Prophet (PBUH) himself was an indication that no one will be accepted before God who, while on earth, decided to be unkind to women. Another person said to the Prophet (PBUH): “0 Messenger of Allah! My relatives are such that although I cooperate with them, they cut me off; I am kind to them but they ill treat me.” The Prophet said this in reply: “So long as you continue as you are, God will always help you and He will protect you against their mischief” (Muslim, 4640).

This was not only a way of bringing comfort to the mind of the worried person but one of the communicative techniques of the Prophet (PBUH) to assure who ever found himself in that situation to look up to God to be con-soled and protected. So it was pointless to preach vengeance to this kind of people suffering from this similar fate. Indeed, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was nothing short of a competent coun-selor. He was always counseling people to be goodhearted regardless of their sex, age or gender. Once Asma bint Abu Bakr’s mother, who was still an unbe-liever, came to see her in Madinah. She told this to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: “My mother has come to see me and she is expecting something from me. May I oblige her?” The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Yes, be kind to your mother” (Muslim, 2195).

This attitude of the Prophet (PBUH) was equally extended to Zainab as-Saqafia, the wife of Abdullah ibn Mas’ud and an Ansari woman. She went to see the Prophet (PBUH) and to inquire whether it would be a charity if they spent something on their husbands and on the orphans under their care. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “They will get a two-fold reward, one for kindness towards their relatives and the other for charity” (Bukhari, 1466).

There are many Ahadith concerning his kindness to animals, birds and insects: “God prescribed kindness towards everything; so when you slaughter any animal, slaughter it well; when you sacrifice, make your sacrifice good. And let everyone sharpen his weapon and make it easy for his sacri-ficed animal” (Muslim, 5055).

He made this kind of statement to demonstrate his love for both humans and animals. In essence, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was equally showing his followers that he too is feels pain.

www.islamcity.org

Five skills of a positive genius that the Prophet hadJINAN YOUSEF

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a positive genius — someone

who sees that he has the ability to do something about the neg-ative realities in the world, by the grace of God. In his book, Before Happiness, Shawn Achor lists the five skills of a positive genius, and I could see each one in the Prophet (PBUH).

The first skill is choosing the most valuable reality. Our biggest mistake sometimes is believing that our negative perception is the only reality that exists. Now what was the Prophet’s (PBUH) reality? He was an orphan, no brothers or sisters, with a handful of believers who were harassed and abused by the wider society. When his uncle and wife passed away, there was literally nothing preventing Quraish from mur-dering him- and we know they tried. And this is reality, is it not? He could have focused on that. He could have been so consumed by that reality that he could not see anything else. But when his uncle passed away, he focused on Taif. When Taif fell apart, he knew he had the Haj season to look forward to because all the tribes would come to Makkah from all over Arabia. But things were not easy for the Prophet (PBUH) even after migrating to Madinah. Actually, they were dif-ficult. The companions became ill. They missed Makkah and recited poetry about it. So what did the Prophet (PBUH) do? He prayed to God to make Madinah as beloved to them as Makkah.

He knew that his dua (supplica-tions) could change reality. And it did- after the conquest of Makkah, the Prophet (PBUH) and many of the companions went back to Madinah.

Secondly, the Prophet (PBUH) knew what was mean-ingful to him. Achor defines “meaning markers” as things in your life that matter to you, which you use to draw mental maps to success. Without meaning, we burn out. This can be applied to things like activism or our jobs to things like prayer. When we get tired of praying, it is because we have not con-nected to the meaning of prayer, or we forgot along the way. It becomes a chore. Similarly with activism, we burn out because we forget what gave it meaning to begin with. We get tired and then maybe leave it. When Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her), saw the Prophet (PBUH) praying for so long that his feet became swollen, she said to him:

“O Messenger of Allah, why do you undergo so much hardship despite the fact that Allah has pardoned for you your earlier and later sins?” The Prophet (PBUH) responded: Should I not be a thankful servant?” (Bukhari)

This is why we are taught to attach a sincere intention to eve-rything we do. This gives what we do meaning. You can give current things in your life meaning by attaching a sincere intention to them (for example, your halal income), but once you know what is truly meaningful to you, you can change your present

situation to include those things (starting a hobby outside work for example). Moreover, it is about diversifying. If we only attach meaning to our jobs, and forget our family and friends, pretty soon we will find ourselves drained. The Prophet (PBUH) was balanced. He spent quality time with his family. Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) said that the Prophet (PBUH) would joke with them, talk to them, and even race with her. He spent quality time with the companions. Amr bin Al Aas said that the Prophet (PBUH) was so attentive to him he thought he was the best companion! He ensured his time with his Lord was about quality too, as we saw with the hadith (tradition of the Prophet) above.

Thirdly, he knew how to propel himself more quickly towards his goal. Achor explains that the closer we perceive our-selves to be to our goal, the faster we move towards it, like a runner finishing a race — he speeds up. Allah promises in the Quran that He will make after hardship ease. The conviction in that alone meant the Prophet (PBUH) knew that there would be something good coming. Moreover, the Prophet (PBUH) did not focus on the problems of the present, but

saw each step (no matter how small) as him getting closer to his finish line. And that made what he went through worth it, and it gave him energy to continue. It is not about how far or near the goal actually is, but where we perceive it is. If you want to encourage people to donate money for a cause, what encourages people more is knowing that, for example, you have already raised 10%. If you tell people you need to raise $100,000 and you have already raised $10,000, it is easier to get people to donate than to tell them you need to raise $90,000 and you have nothing. At the end, the amount you have to raise is the same, but it is our perception that gives us the energy to move towards the goal.

So that is what our brain responds to. When the Prophet (PBUH) was migrating from Makkah to Madinah under dan-gerous circumstances, he said to Suraqa bin Malik (who was initially trying to kill the Prophet!): “What about a day when you will be wearing the bracelets of Kisra.”” Suraqa was shocked. “Kisra?!” And the Prophet (PBUH) said “Yes, Kisra the son of Hermuz” (the leader of the powerful Persian

empire). Simply by being en route to the safety of Madinah, the Prophet (PBUH) saw his finish line as closer. And he was confident about reaching his target.

Fourthly, he cancelled out the noise, and focused on the signals. Achor says in the book that your brain can process only 40 bits of information per second despite the fact that you are inundated with 11 million pieces of information coming from all your nerve endings! Most of that is just noise, meaning infor-mation that distracts us from making positive change. What we choose to process then in turn reflects where we put our energy. So noise is information that is negative, false or simply unnec-essary, whereas signals are pieces of information that are true and reliable and alert us to possibilities. The Prophet (PBUH) focused on signals, meaning things that he could actually use. For example, if he focused on all the noise that was telling him that everyone was out to get them, he would not have been able to utilise the opportunities when they came up. But when the Muslims migrated to Madina, the Prophet (PBUH) conducted a population census- he even created a signal, because that information would come in handy. He then set up a new market so the Muslims could begin to work and trade. What he could have done was worry about imminent attacks from the Makkans. It’s not that there wasn’t that threat, but he gave them the attention that they needed, and not more. He could

have focused his energy on arming the Muslims, but he dealt with that aspect by concluding treaties with the different com-munities in Madina for pro-tection. He then worked on getting the companions settled. An important aspect is he did not have the issue of internal noise. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy with the negative talk we subject ourselves to. But he had a strong relationship with Allah Almighty, and thus he knew his worth to Allah.

The fifth skill? He transferred his positive reality to others. He taught people how to see the good. He taught us not to belittle any good deed, even a smile to someone. When Mu’adh bin Jabal was sent to Yemen, the Prophet (PBUH) told him: “Make things easy and do not make things hard. Tell people of glad tidings, and do not push them away.” (Bukhari)

He reminded us always that the door to God is always open. When a man came to Prophet (PBUH) confessing that he had done impermissible things with a woman he was not married to, the Prophet (PBUH) recited the following verse to him: “And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember” (Quran, 11:114). That is why the companions were the best of people. They internalised the positive genius of the Prophet (PBUH), and created their own positive realities. So are you a positive genius?

Source: SuhaibWebb.com

A full moon rises over the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey.

When Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her), saw the Prophet (PBUH) praying for so long that his feet became swollen, she said to him: “O Messenger of Allah, why do you undergo so much hardship despite the fact that Allah has pardoned for you your earlier and later sins?” The Prophet (PBUH) responded: Should I not be a thankful servant?” (Bukhari)

06 FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019ASIA

Large SC bench to decide on women’s entry into places of worshipREUTERS/IANS NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court, while hearing the Sabarimala temple case, yesterday expanded the ambit of debate on restricting women’s entry in places of worship in various religions — Hindu, Muslim, Parsi — and included the question on judicial scrutiny of religious practice of female genital mutilation in the Dwaoodi Bohra community.

A five-judge bench of the apex court, in a 3:2 split verdict, referred the Sabarimala shrine review pleas to a larger seven-judge bench.

It was hearing review peti-tions on its September 2018 verdict, allowing women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala.

The Chief Justice’s majority judgement sought judicial scrutiny of religious practices through the lens of constitutional validity.

“Concededly, the debate about the constitutional validity of practices entailing into restriction of entry of women gen-erally in the place of worship is not limited to this case (Sabar-imala shrine),” observed the court.

The apex court agreed to club issues connected with constitu-tional validity with respect to entry of Muslim women in a dargah/mosque, entry of Parsi women married to a non-Parsi into the holy fire place of an ‘Agyari’.

Taking a step further, the

apex court posed question about another seminal issue pending before the court: whether a par-ticular practice is essential to a religion or is an integral of the religion, in respect of female genital mutilation in Dawoodi Bohra community.

Upholding the right to equality of worship, a five-judge bench of the court last year ruled that the ban on women from entering the Sabarimala temple in the southern state of Kerala could not be con-sidered an essential religious practice and should be lifted.

The decision had enraged conservative Hindu groups, sparked protests and drew the Supreme Court into the contro-versy in what is still a deeply reli-gious country.

Many devotees refused to abide by the ruling and subse-quent attempts by women to visit the temple were blocked.

Some lawyers and political analysts said the decision to scrutinise certain Hindu prac-tices alongside those of other religions could pave the way for a public discussion on a uniform civil code, which is high on the agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The BJP maintains that gender equality cannot be attained until the adoption of a uniform civil code, which is opposed by some Muslim groups since it would likely dilute sharia, the Islamic legal code.

“While the court cannot be faulted for doing what it is doing, but it definitely fulfils a major majoritarian demand. That if you’re trying to reform us (Hindus), reform them, too,” said political analyst Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

In the ruling on the Sabar-imala temple, the court has not issued a stay on its previous decision, effectively allowing all women to continue to visit the shrine, which is thronged by mil-lions of devotees every year.

Those in favour of the ban argued it is necessary for rites related to the temple’s chief deity Ayyappan, who is considered eternally celibate.

Since the Supreme Court’s ruling lifting the ban last Sep-tember, about a dozen women attempted to enter the shrine, but only two succeeded in making it to its inner sanctum.

Junior Chachas celebrating Children’s DaySchoolchildren, dressed up as India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who was fondly called Chacha Nehru, hold roses during an event for Children’s Day celebrations at a school in Amritsar, yesterday.

Court rejects Rafale jet probeAP/INTERNEWS NEW DELHI

India’s Supreme Court yesterday rejected petitions seeking a probe into the government’s purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation over pricing issues.

Three Supreme Court judges said they didn’t see any merit in the petitions filed by two former ministers and an activist seeking an investigation of the Rafale deal.

Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi accused Modi’s gov-ernment of favoring a company owned by industrialist Anil Ambani, Reliance Group, when

choosing an Indian partner for Dassault.

In December last year, the top court rejected petitions filed by activists challenging the Rafale deal, with Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi saying there was no reason to doubt the govern-ment’s decision making.

Gogoi also said it was not the job of the court to deal with pricing details. The first aircraft is due to arrive in India in May. The deliveries are expected to be completed by 2022.

Gandhi yesterday said the Supreme Court verdict has opened a “huge door” into investigation of the “Rafale scam” and demanded

a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the fighter jet deal.

Gandhi tweeted: “Justice Joseph of the Supreme Court has opened a huge door into inves-tigation of the RAFALE scam. An investigation must now begin in full earnest. A Joint Parlia-mentary Committee (JPC) must also be set up to probe this scam.” The Congress party also said the BJP has been celebrating the Rafale verdict without studying the judgement properly and added that through its verdict the Supreme Court had “opened the gates for investi-gation” of the fighter jet deal by agencies.

BJP selects 13 ‘defectors’ for Karnataka by-eletionsIANS BENGALURU

The BJP has named 13 of the 16 defected former Congress and JD-S legislators as candidates for the 15 Assembly by-elec-tions to be held across Karnataka on December 5, hours after they joined the ruling party here, a party official said yesterday.

“Of the 17 disqualified rebel MLAs, 16 joined our party earlier in the day barring Roshan Baig. The B-form has been given to 13 of them and to our former city corporator M Sharavana to contest the by-elections to fill the vacancies caused by their resignations in mid-July,” BJP’s Karnataka unit spokesman G Madhusudan said.

Sharavana will contest from the high-profile Shivajinagar Assembly constituency in central Bengaluru as the BJP did not allow seven-time former Congress lawmaker Roshan Baig to join the party along with 16 others.

“Of the 13 named, 10 belonged to the Congress and 3 to the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S). The party’s candidate for the 15th Assembly segment (Ranebennur) will be finalised soon although R. Shankar, who resigned as an Independent in July and joined the party, has not been given the ticket,” the official said.

Schools closed in Delhi as air quality dips for 3rd dayAP NEW DELHI

Schools in New Delhi ware shut yesterday and today after a thick gray haze of noxious air enveloped the city for the third consecutive day, and angry resi-dents blamed authorities for holding an annual children’s race.

Buildings and monuments were largely obscured by smog and an official health advisory urged people to avoid all

physical activity outdoors.The air quality index

exceeded 460, nine times the level recommended by the World Health Organisation, according to the state-run Central Pollution Control Board. In some places, the index crossed the 500 level.

Still, hundreds of children took part yesterday in the annual “Run for Children” race organised by a nonprofit group called Prayas.

Residents took to social media and blamed authorities for

allowing the run after pictures were shared of children without protective masks.

Many decried the rising pol-lution levels and said the gov-ernment is not doing enough.

New Delhi is one of the world’s most polluted cities, and winters have become a time of annual health woes when the city is covered in a toxic haze that obscures the sky and blocks sunlight.

Doctors in the city of 20 million people say many of their

patients are complaining of ail-ments related to the filthy air they breathe.

Air pollution in northern India, including New Delhi, peaks due to smoke from agri-cultural fires in neighboring Haryana and Punjab states which mixes with the city’s vehicle emissions and construction dust.

Authorities have resorted to emergency measures such as banning construction, reducing traffic and prohibiting the use of

diesel generators. But the steps have had little effect because state governments have failed to cooperate in tackling pollution.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not spoken about the crisis, even though he frequently promotes government programs on Twitter and elsewhere.

Pollution was expected to decrease starting last night when wind speed picks up, according to the India Meteorological Department.

A lesson in water conservationFarmers and policemen look at green grow bags during a workshop on increasing water use efficiency in agriculture organised by National Water Mission - Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganges Rejuvenation Ministry, in Amritsar, yesterday.

Congress, NCP & Sena hold first meeting on Maharashtra govtIANS MUMBAI

The first tripartite meeting of the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress was held in two separate sessions here yesterday to finalise the government formation details, party sources said.

From the Sena, party Pres-ident Uddhav Thackeray’s trusted lieutenants, legislature party leader Eknath Shinde and Subhash Desai were present.

The Congress was repre-sented by former Chief Ministers Sushilkumar Shinde and Prith-viraj Chavan, former state pres-ident Manikrao Thakre and former Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar.

The NCP had deployed its state chief Jayant Patil, Mumbai President Nawab Malik and former Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal.

The sources said that these meetings were preceded by a short meeting held between Thackeray and Congress-NCP leaders, details of which are not clear.

Yesterday’s meetings were held in “a very cordial, free and frank atmosphere” and the dis-cussions chiefly pertained to the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) being worked out by the three prospective allies.

Talks also veered around crucial issues of government formation, the post of Chief Min-ister and Deputy Chief Minister, the sharing of ministries, etc, and all the details are expected to be finalised very soon after the respective parties’ green signal to the CMP.

Congress MP Hussain Dalwai said that “the talks are progressing very positively on all sides” but declined to elaborate.

Addressing the media after emerging from one round of the meetings, Wadettiwar said that there was a threadbare dis-cussion on the CMP draft with near-unanimity on most points achieved after comparing the manifestos of the three parties.

“Later tonight, this draft will be submitted to the high command of the Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena for their approval, before it will be finalised. The challenge before us is not to form the government, but to sustain it for a full term, that’s why we are discussing all issues very minutely,” he said.

Though clarity has not emerged on the post of Chief Minister, the Congress has indi-cated it is not a claimant for the post, but instead would settle for the Speaker, Deputy Chief Min-ister and some ministerial posts.

SC defers hearing on pleas over Article 370IANS/NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court yesterday deferred the hearing on the pleas challenging the abrogation of Article 370 which had granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

A five-Judge Constitution Bench of Justices NV Ramana, SK Kaul, R Subhash Reddy, BR Gavai

and Surya Kant said that there is a need for a compilation of all material in one place to conduct the hearing smoothly and directed all the parties to prepare and com-plete this compilation process on the next date of hearing.

On the direction of the court, both sides nominated one counsel to do this exercise. The court also directed the Centre to

file a counter on or before November 22.

Meanwhile, senior counsel Rajeev Dhavan, representing the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference, requested the court to give the first priority for hearing the issue on aspects like a bifurcation of services, division of assets and transfer of prop-erties but the court said that it

would hear the entire case.Last week, the Centre has

filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, justifying the revocation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir by saying that the power under Article 370(1)(d) of the Constitution could validly be exercised even after the disso-lution of the Constituent Assembly of the erstwhile state.

The Supreme Court agreed to club issues connected with constitutional validity with respect to entry of Muslim women in a dargah/mosque, entry of Parsi women married to a non-Parsi into the holy fire place of an ‘Agyari’.

07FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019 ASIA

ECL law offers sweeping power to govtINTERNEWS ISLAMABAD

The Exit from Pakistan (Control) Ordinance, promulgated by General Ziaul Haq regime on December 21, 1981, arms the federal government with sweeping powers to stop any person from leaving Pakistan.

Currently, the brief Exit Control List (ECL) law is under heated dis-cussion in the context of the question of dispensing with the pro-hibition placed on deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif by the federal government to travel abroad.

The law doesn’t talk about imposition of any conditions to erase a name from the ECL, its close reading shows. Also, there is no mention of any department including the National

Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the ECL law and it solely empowers the federal government when it comes to putting foreign travel restriction on any person.

It always happened that suc-cessive governments and the persons, facing such bars, failed to resolve the issue and ulti-mately superior courts are involved to settle it.

The instant matter is also going to be taken to a superior

court by Nawaz Sharif’s lawyers especially when the two high courts have ruled that he can get treatment of his choice any-where he wants.

The law says the federal gov-ernment may, by order, prohibit any person or class of persons from proceeding from Pakistan to a destination outside Pakistan, notwithstanding the fact that he is in possession of valid travel documents.

Before making an order, the government shall not necessarily afford an opportunity of showing cause to the person against the order.

If, while making such an order, it appears to the gov-ernment that it will not be in the public interest to specify the grounds on which the order is proposed to be made, it shall not be necessary for the government to specify them.

The law gives the right of review to the aggrieved person, which will also be filed with the government. It says the person hurt by such the government order may, within 15 days, make a represen-tation to it for review, setting out the grounds on which he seeks it.

The government may, after giving the person making a

representation an opportunity of being heard, make such order as it may deem fit. Subject to the government order in review, an order shall be final and shall not be called in question before any courts or other authority.

The law further says whoever contravenes, or attempts or con-spires to contravene, or abets the contravention of any such order shall be punishable with impris-onment for a term which may extend to five years. Such rows generally land in the superior courts.

Sometime back, the Supreme Court had struck off the ECL names of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal in the money laundering through fake bank accounts case.

Legal options for Indian spy case review under study: Pakistan armyINTERNEWS ISLAMABAD

Pakistan army has said that various legal options for “review and reconsideration” of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav’s case were being studied, but ruled out any amendment to the Army Act.

Military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor in a brief statement on Twitter said: “Various legal options for review and reconsideration of the case are being considered. Final status shall be shared in due course of time.”

He made these comments in response to reports in a section of media that an amendment to the Pakistan Army Act was being planned to grant Jadhav, who had been awarded death penalty by a Field General Court Martial (FGCM) for being guilty of espi-onage, the right to appeal in a civilian court against his con-viction and sentencing.

“ S p e c u l a t i o n s f o r amendment in Pak Army Act to implement ICJ verdict regarding convicted Indian terrorist Cdr Kulbhushan Jadhav are incorrect,” he said.

It should be recalled that the International Court of Justice

had in its verdict in the Jadhav case asked Pakistan to grant consular access and ensure “effective review and reconsid-eration of his conviction and sentences”.

Pakistan provided consular access to Jadhav on September 2.

The ICJ, moreover, while rejecting India’s contention that Jadhav was entitled to ‘restitutio in integrum’ (restoration to original position) and turning down its plea for annulment of the FGCM verdict, ruled that Pakistan may conduct an effective review and reconsid-eration of the sentence awarded to Jadhav by the means of its own choosing.

The issue was also taken up by PPP parliamentary leader in the Senate Sherry Rehman in the upper house of parliament. Speaking on a point of public importance, she sought clarifi-cation over media reports that the government was bringing legislation to give Jadhav right to appeal against his conviction.

Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari, in her response, rejected the rumours and said no such legislation was being introduced.

Commuters drive their vehicles amid heavy smog conditions in Lahore, yesterday.

Driving amid heavy smog

Lahore to be a tobacco-smoke free cityINTERNEWS LAHORE

In a bid to control passive smoking, district authorities have drafted a comprehensive plan to turn Lahore into a tobacco-smoke free city.

The plan, which seeks to ban smoking in all public spaces,

including parks, marriage halls and public transport, will seek the help of the Ministry of Reli-gious Affairs to direct ulema and prayer leaders to discourage smoking in Friday sermons.

In addition to that, the sale of cigarettes within 50 metre radius of any educational institute will also be prohibited and anti-smoking

banners will be effectively placed on the gates of schools and college campuses across the city.

According to the details and documents, the aforementioned plan was discussed in presence of 17 key officers of federal and provincial departments at a meeting held at the Deputy Com-missioner’s office in Lahore.

The plan also involves forming a special task force to enforce the ban in public places, including tourist and recreational spots. A Tobacco Control Cell will also be set up in the office of Deputy Com-missioner Lahore, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (NHSRC).

ICC judges authorise Rohingya investigationAP THE HAGUE

International Criminal Court (ICC) judges yesterday approved a request from prosecutors to open an investigation into crimes committed against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslim minority.

The court said that it has jurisdiction over crimes par-tially committed in Bangladesh, which is a member state of the court. Myanmar, which is not a member of the global court, has been accused of committing widespread abuses in a cam-paign against the Rohingya.

Myanmar’s military began a counterinsurgency campaign in August 2017 in response to an insurgent attack. More than 700,000 Rohingya fled to neighbouring Bangladesh to escape what has been called an ethnic cleansing campaign involving mass rapes, killings and the torching of homes.

The court said in a statement that a panel of judges who studied Prosecutor Fatou Ben-souda’s request to open an inves-tigation concluded that there are grounds to believe widespread acts of violence were committed “that could qualify as the crimes against humanity of deportation across the Myanmar-Bangladesh border and persecution on grounds of ethnicity and/or religion against the Rohingya population.”

The decision came just days after Gambia, on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Coop-eration, filed a case at the Inter-national Court of Justice accusing Myanmar of genocide in its treatment of the Rohingya.

Sri Lanka pardons 267 prisoners aged over 65AFP COLOMBO

More than 250 Sri Lankan convicts aged over 65 have been given amnesty just days after the president sparked outrage by pardoning the well-connected killer of a Swedish teen, officials said yesterday.

Jude Jayamaha, the scion of a wealthy Sri Lankan family and convicted in 2005 of murdering Yvonne Jonsson, walked free from death row on Saturday after Maithripala Sirisena’s pardon.

His release prompted outrage from the victim’s family, rights groups, and people on social media — and also initiated a mini-rebellion from inmates at the country’s main high-security prison, who demanded similar treatment.

In an apparent bid to calm the situation, Sirisena — due to step down after elections tomorrow — issued a pardon for some 267 prisoners aged over 65.

“We have now got orders from the president and the pris-oners will walk free today and tomorrow,” a justice ministry official said.

Officials said all those granted pardons were serving time for offences other than rape or murder.

Sri Lankan writer Lasantha Wijeratne receives treatment in a hospital in Galle, yesterday.

Sri Lanka author attacked ahead of Presidential pollsAFP COLOMBO

Armed men stabbed and injured a writer in Sri Lanka yesterday, a week after he published a book criticising the main opposition candidate at tomorrow’s presi-dential polls, police said.

The attackers stormed the home of Lasantha Wijeratne, who released his book Wasteful Devel-opment and Corruption last week and gave a copy to ruling party candidate Sajith Premadasa.

“Four men broke into the house and stabbed him in the arm after holding a pistol to his wife’s head,” Wijeratne’s lawyer Tharaka Nanayakkara said by tel-ephone. “They smashed furniture before escaping.” Police said they launched an investigation into the pre-dawn attack in Galle, 115km

south of Colombo, but no arrests had been made.

Nanayakkara said the attackers accused Wijeratne of harming the campaign of Gotabaya Rajapaksa who is believed to be in a close race with Premadasa for the top job.

Gotabaya is the brother of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, during whose decade in power until 2015 at least 14 jour-nalists were killed according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Rajapaksa’s campaign con-demned the attack on the author.

“Some reports on social media attempt to claim this is a politically-motivated attack,” a spokesman for Rajapaksa’s party said in a statement.

“We are a disciplined party... we condemn this attack with contempt.” The violence came

even as Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said the campaign had been rel-atively peaceful compared to previous polls.

However, he said the behaviour of both private and state-controlled television net-works had been highly biased, and he hoped to prosecute offenders after the election.

No media organisation has been prosecuted for violating election laws, but last week Deshapriya banned a state TV network from broadcasting any political content after accusing it of partisan coverage.

However, the Commission reversed the move the next day following protests that it was not being even-handed with all media outlets violating campaign rules governing broadcasts.

Taliban still holding Western hostages: SpokesmanAFP KABUL

A Taliban spokesman said yesterday the insurgents were still holding two Western hostages, as officials stayed tight-lipped over the outcome of an apparent prisoner swap announced by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani earlier this week.

Ghani announced on Tuesday that his government would “con-ditionally” release three high-ranking Taliban insurgents, including Anas Haqqani, brother to the leader of the eponymous Haqqani Network, one of the Tal-iban’s deadliest and most feared factions.

He did not specify the fate of the Western hostages

— an Australian and an American — but noted that their health had been deteriorating, and that their release would help pave the way for peace negotiations.

Two days later, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that no swap had yet taken place. “The three people have not been handed over to us, and we have not freed our

prisoners yet,” he said.The reasons for the delay were

not clear. Afghan officials remained tight-lipped Thursday, and the Aus-tralian foreign office has said it will not provide a “running com-mentary” on the process.

The US ambassador had ini-tially welcomed Ghani’s statement, but officials have given no further information since.

Waheed Muzhda, who served as an official in the Tali-ban’s 1996-2001 regime, said the swap still could happen, but sug-gested the delay could be an issue of trust.

“The concern is that there will be a tweet by Trump or another American official to say the deal is off, as it happened in the case of peace talks,” he said.

The law doesn’t talk about imposition of any conditions to erase a name from the ECL. Also, there is no mention of any department including the National Accountability Bureau in the ECL law and it solely empowers the federal government when it comes to putting foreign travel restriction on any person.

For now, Bolivia is in a perilous state of political limbo, bitterly divided over the path forward with the all-too-real prospect of fresh clashes between backers and opponents of Morales.

08 FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019VIEWS

The crisis in Bolivia fits no easy political narrative

The dramatic resignation of Bolivia’s former president Evo Morales and his flight to asylum in Mexico have turned into

something of a Rorschach test on the hemisphere’s politics. Many on the left are convinced that Morales was unseated in a military coup, since an insurrection among the country’s police and armed forces compelled the long-ruling leader’s departure. In this view, his fate was that of a long, tragic line of Latin American left-wing populists betrayed by US-backed reactionary elements.

Meanwhile, observers and politicians further to the right hailed what is happen-ing in Bolivia as a restoration of democracy and a victory against hegemonic socialism on the continent. Morales, in their view, was the next Nicolás Maduro, the Venezue-lan demagogue bent on retaining power no matter the damage to his country and its fragile democracy. A popular Bolivian rebellion booted him out of office.

Neither version of events tells the whole story. For now, Bolivia is in a perilous state of political limbo, bitterly divided over the path forward with the all-too-real prospect of fresh clashes between backers and oppo-nents of Morales. Jeanine Áñez, a right-wing opposition senator, proclaimed herself the country’s interim leader, a role to which she

was constitution-ally entitled after Morales and key allies resigned and left her - the dep-uty leader of the country’s Sen-ate - next in line. Áñez has prom-ised to hold new elections soon, though it’s unclear to what extent, if any, Morales and his party will participate. His Movement for Socialism party remains techni-cally the largest faction in both chambers of

Bolivia’s legislature. Footage on Wednes-day appeared to show Adriana Salvatierra, the former president of the Bolivian Sen-ate and a Morales ally, getting roughed up by security forces when she attempted to take her seat in the chamber after resign-ing over the weekend.

The crisis can still be justifiably laid at Morales’s feet. In power since 2006, he made the decision to ignore the outcome of a 2016 constitutional referendum that narrowly rejected his bid to abolish term limits. A ruling from a constitutional court packed with his loyalists allowed him to compete for a fourth term. But the first round of the presidential vote on Oct. 20

was so plagued by irregularities that a later audit by the Organization of American States - a continental bloc that is mis-trusted by some on the left - concluded there were signs of “clear manipulation.” Weeks of mass protests against Morales culminated in the country’s police and army chiefs urging his resignation. Morales had little choice but to comply, but in com-ments made in Mexico on Wednesday, he said he was determined to return home and urged a national dialogue to resolve the dispute.

“If the military, which recommended Morales’ resignation to avoid further blood-shed, stays in power, it will be a coup,” noted Andres Oppenheimer in the Miami Herald. “But if the constitution’s line of succession is respected and an interim president calls for a new election within 90 days, it will [be] a constitutional move to invalidate Morales’ illegal power grab.”

Morales’ supporters in Bolivia have refused to recognize the legitimacy of Áñez’s ascension, raising fears of further social unrest after a month of strikes and pro-tests. Their critics argue this could have all been avoidable.

“Evo could have lifted up new lead-ers to take his place, but instead actively undermined any who might do so. He could have served out his third term, left office with a grand legacy, and even run again in five years if he wished (the term limits only apply to consecutive terms),” wrote Jim Shultz, an American expert on Bolivia who lived in the country for two decades and knew Morales even before he rose to power. “But instead he was willing to plow through the basic rules of democracy to hold onto power, and the people knew it and in the end they rebelled as Bolivians so often have.”

The Trump administration cheered the news and quickly recognized Áñe-zas the country’s interim president. In a statement issued Monday, President Don-ald Trump celebrated the developments in Bolivia and placed Morales alongside his other Latin American boogeymen. “These events send a strong signal to the illegiti-mate regimes in Venezuela and Nicaragua that democracy and the will of the peo-ple will always prevail,” Trump said. “We are now one step closer to a completely democratic, prosperous, and free West-ern Hemisphere.”

But unlike Maduro, Morales had not presided over desolation. As my colleagues wrote just last month, his stewardship of

the impoverished, yet resource-rich nation was largely a credit to redistributive poli-cies. “Bolivia’s economy is closing the gap with the rest of the continent, growing faster than most neighbors over the past 13 years. Meanwhile, governments that have embraced market policies - notably, in Argentina and Ecuador - face economic and political chaos,” observed The Post’s Anthony Faiola. He added: “Even the Inter-national Monetary Fund, that champion of the free market, concedes that Boliv-ia’s socialists have been more effective in combating extreme poverty than any other South American government, slash-ing it from 33 percent of the population in 2006 to 15 percent in 2018.”

In recent years, though, Morales more closely followed an authoritarian playbook, undermining some of the social and indig-enous movements that once buttressed his rule and prosecuting former allies who turned against him. Some pundits attempted to cast his defeat in sunny, global terms. “The inspiring victory of the Boliv-ian people has great meaning far beyond Latin America,” wrote liberal columnist Yascha Mounk in the Atlantic. “Morales’s sudden loss of support should not only scare embattled leftist dictators, such as Maduro in Venezuela; it should also ter-rify far-right populists, such as Hungary’s [Viktor] Orban or Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who still appear to have a firm hold on power.”

That last suggestion from Mounk makes sense in the abstract but becomes more curious when you actually think about the particulars. Both Orban and Erdogan are ultranationalists who would find a degree of ideological kinship not with Morales, but those at the forefront of Morales’s ouster.

Before assuming presidential pow-ers, Áñez strode toward the parliament building, clutching a large copy of the Bible and proclaiming its return to the center of power in the country - a deliberate jab at the indigenous communities and traditions uplifted by Morales, the coun-try’s first indigenous leader. A survey of her social media found older comments mocking indigenous practices. Viral videos showed Bolivian security forces removing the Wiphala, the square emblem represent-ing the indigenous peoples of the Andes, that sat alongside the tricolor Bolivian flag in their uniforms.

The author writes about foreign affairs for The Washington Post.

ISHAAN THAROOR THE WASHINGTON POST

QUOTE OF THE DAY

The unrest in Hong Kong has “seriously

challenged” the “one country, two systems”

principle governing the semi-autonomous

city.

Xi Jinping China’s President

Firms should take aggressive posture to grow in difficult times

The sluggish world economy has been blunting companies’ performance. Cor-

porate managers will find their abilities tested as they weather this difficulty.

For the half-year period ending in September 2019, the announcement of midterm set-tlements of accounts among companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange has peaked. Overall net income for compa-nies listed in the First Section of the TSE, excluding financial, electric power and gas compa-nies, is expected to fall short of the figure for the corresponding term last year by about 10 to 20%. This will be the first year-on-year decline for midterm accounts seen in three years.

In addition to an eco-nomic slowdown in China and

elsewhere in Asia, such factors as the rising value of the yen and the weakening of the euro, influenced by issues related to Britain’s unpredictable exit from the European Union, may have affected their performance.

The performance of non-manufacturers, including construction and retail busi-nesses, is firm in general, but the sluggish performance of manufacturers, which support the foundations of the Japanese economy, is worrisome.

For instance, Komatsu Ltd., a leading construction equip-ment maker, has seen its net income fall by nearly 30 per-cent from a year earlier, due to weakened sales in China and elsewhere. Fanuc Corp., a machine-tool maker, has seen its income halved. Perceived in these results is the slowing of the production activities of Chinese companies.

The Chinese economy has seen its domestic demand, on which it heavily depends, deprived of vigor, with few signs of an upturn even in October or later. In light of this, the situa-tion surrounding the business performance of Japanese man-ufacturers for the full-year term ending in March 2020 does not look likely to change significantly.

Therefore, more than 200 listed manufacturers have revised downward their net income forecasts for the full-year term ending next March. By sector, such a development has been conspicuous among key industries, including machinery, electrical appliances and auto-mobiles. As such firms have a wide range of supporting indus-tries, including subcontractors and even sub-subcontractors, recovery in manufacturers’ per-formance is urgently needed.

For the time being, it is

important for these manufac-turers to continue making steady efforts such as cost reduction, reconstruction of business oper-ations and finding ways to build demand by meeting consum-ers’ needs.

It is inevitable for the US-China struggle for supremacy to continue for a protracted period. Companies with operations spread overseas will also be required to reexamine their supply chains for parts and components. But merely maintaining a “defensive” posture might make it difficult for man-ufacturers to post growth in the medium and long term.

Nidec Corp., which posted a significant year-on-year decline in its income for the six-month term ending in September, will invest about 30 billion yen in areas such as research and development, on the grounds of its brisk sales of traction motors for electric vehicles.

CHAIRMANSHEIKH THANI BIN ABDULLAH AL THANI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDR. KHALID BIN MUBARAK AL-SHAFI

editorinchief@pen.com.qa

ACTING MANAGING EDITORMOHAMMED SALIM MOHAMED

m.salim@pen.com.qa

DEPUTY MANAGING EDITORMOHAMMED OSMAN ALI

osman@pen.com.qa

ESTABLISHED IN 1996

EDITORIAL

All set for explosive action

In December 2004, hosts Qatar pipped Oman in the final to win the Gulf Cup for the second time in what was an absorbing football clash watched by a packed

Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. The victory - achieved on pen-alties - was celebrated across the country as a gutsy per-formance from the home side capped a dream run to emerge victorious. Qatar, who will host the most popular national team event of the region from November 26- to December 8 for the fourth time, can expect a greater buzz this time around primarily because the home side are now appearing as the Asian Cup champions for the eight-team tournament.

The home side - coached by Spain’s Felix Sanchez for a little over a couple of years - are on a high of playing 15 matches this year alone. This year’s assignment includes their unbeaten seven-match winning streak at the 2019 Asian Cup - where Qatar stunned hosts UAE 4-0 in the semi-finals and three-time champions Japan 3-1 in the final - and Copa America in June in Brazil. More matches in recent times has translated into more fan following and greater critical analysis of Qatar players appearing under

different conditions against tougher opponents. The greater attention to detail from football pundits and monitoring have brought more focus on Sanchez’s boys now getting battle-hardened for tougher assignments.

With Saudi Arabia and UAE confirming their participation, football-loving Qatar can expect a fan frenzy usually reserved for top events. Saudi Arabia appeared in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and UAE has always produced quality football to meet world standards. With Asian Cup champions Qatar the team to beat and defending champions Oman ready to repeat their performance from the last edition in Kuwait, the 24th Gulf Cup will be all explosive football.

Fans visiting from the neigh-bouring countries won’t be just watching matches at football

venues - they will get first-hand experience of sitting inside 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums. As of now the LOC has only confirmed the iconic Khalifa International Stadium as one of the venues to host the games. Another venue - or perhaps two - will be announced soon. Earlier this year, Qatar inau-gurated their second 2022 FIFA World Cup venue - Al Janoub Stadium - by hosting the 2019 Amir Cup final watched by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and FIFA Pres-ident Gianni Infantino along with scores of other dignitaries.

Make no mistake, Qatar is a winner on and off the field!A big welcome to the football fraternity of the region!

The supporters of former Bolivian President Evo Morales taking part in a protest, in La Paz.

JAPAN NEWS-YOMIURI

Qatar, who will host the most popular national team event of the region from Nov 26- to Dec 8 for the fourth time, can expect a greater buzz this time around primarily because the home side are now appearing as the Asian Cup champions for the eight-team tournament.

09FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019 ASIA

‘Stopping violence’ most urgent task for Hong Kong: President XiBLOOMBERG HONG KONG

China’s President Xi Jinping said yesterday that “continuing radical violent crimes” in Hong Kong have “seriously trampled on the rule of law” and that “stopping the violence and restoring order” is the city’s “most urgent task” at present.

His comments came after Hong Kong’s government dis-missed speculation it would impose a weekend curfew, after China’s state-owned Global Times newspaper deleted a tweet that reported the city’s authorities were gearing up to a n n o u n c e w i d e s p r e a d restrictions.

The initial tweet and ensuing deletion came after the gov-ernment said all schools would be suspended through Sunday amid a fourth straight day of chaos. The city’s subway operator has partially suspended service and protesters continue to block roads, as residents wonder what could come next.

The financial hub has been paralysed since Monday morning, when a demonstrator was shot during protests, igniting city-wide rallies and violent clashes. The situation has worsened in the days since, with most major universities can-celling classes and companies

telling employees to work from home. Two people remain in critical condition from the recent clashes. One 70-year-old man was hit by what appeared to be a brick thrown by protesters, according to the government and police. A 15-year-old boy underwent brain surgery after sustaining a head injury from what may have been a tear gas canister, local news organization RTHK reported.

The protests, which have been raging for five months in pursuit of greater democracy in the former British colony, first intensified on Friday after a student died of injuries sustained near a protest. Chief Executive Carrie Lam held a late-night session with her advisers and government ministers last night, according to reports, and may be considering further measures. She has previously vowed not to g ive in to v io lent demonstrations.

China’s President Xi, cur-rently on a visit to Brazil, said “continuing radical violent

crimes in Hong Kong have seri-ously trampled on the rule of law and social order, seriously undermined Hong Kong’s pros-perity and stability, and seriously challenged the bottom line of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ principle,” state-run broadcaster CCTV reported in a Weibo post.

“Stopping the violence and restoring order is Hong Kong’s most urgent task at present.”

Xi reiterated China’s support for Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Lam. “We will continue to firmly support the Chief Executive to lead the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the law, firmly support the Hong Kong Police in law enforcement, and firmly support the Hong Kong Judiciary in punishing violent criminals.”

“Rumors” that authorities were planning to implement a curfew over the weekend are “totally unfounded,” Hong Kong’s government said in a statement, following rising spec-ulation after Lam’s late-night meeting with top officials on Wednesday.

Hong Kong won’t impose curfews at the current stage or cancel District Council elections scheduled for November 24, local news site HK01 reported, citing an unidentified person close to the government.

Anti-government demonstrators gather to protest in Central, Hong Kong, yesterday.

Australia urges restraint from both sidesAFP SYDNEY

Australia yesterday made an unusually blunt call for Hong Kong police to respond “propor-tionately” to escalating protests, and urged the city’s authorities to consider an independent investigation into police conduct.

Urging “restraint” from both protestors and police after vio-lence that has crippled the inter-national financial hub, foreign minister Marise Payne echoed calls from the European Union

and the United States for “genuine steps to de-escalate tensions”. “It is essential that the police respond proportionately to protests,” Payne said, urging authorities to heed calls for an investigation into the police response to the protests.

As pro-democracy protesters have stepped up a campaign of roadblocks and vandalism across Hong Kong, police have responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and, on occasion, live ammunition.

But viral videos have also

shown one police officer delib-erately riding his motorcycle into crowds, the indiscriminate firing of teargas — sometimes at jour-nalists — and multiple instances of officers lashing out.

Amid allegations of brutality, an international expert panel advising Hong Kong’s police watchdog has recommended an independent investigation into police conduct.

“Australia encourages the Hong Kong authorities to address the panel’s recommen-dations,” the minister said.

N Korea says US offered to resume nuclear talks in DecAP SEOUL

North Korea yesterday said the United States has proposed a resumption of stalled nuclear negotiations in December as they approach an end-of-year deadline set by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the Trump administration to offer an acceptable deal to salvage the talks.

In a statement released by the state media, North Korean negotiator Kim Myong Gil didn’t clearly say whether the North would accept the supposed US offer.

He said North Korea has no interest in talks if they are aimed at buying time without dis-cussing solutions. He said the North isn’t willing to make a deal over “matters of secondary importance,” such as possible US offers to formally declare an end to the 1950-53 Korean War, which was halted by a cease-fire, not a peace treaty, or establish a liaison office between the countries.

“If the negotiated solution of issues is possible, we are ready to meet with the US at any place and any time,” said Kim Myong Gil, who called for Wash-ington to present a fundamental

solution for discarding its “hostile policy” toward North Korea.

“If the US still seeks a sin-ister aim of appeasing us in a bid to pass the time limit — the end of this year — with ease as it did during the DPRK-US working-level negotiations in Sweden early in October, we have no willingness to have such negotiations,” he said, using the abbreviation of North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

Nuclear negotiations have faltered since a February summit between Kim Jong Un and Pres-ident Donald Trump in Vietnam

collapsed after the US side rejected North Korean demands for broad sanctions relief in exchange for a partial surrender of its nuclear capabilities.

The working-level talks last month in Sweden broke down over what the North Koreans described as the Americans’ “old stance and attitude.”

Kim Myong Gil, who was North Korea’s lead negotiator at the Stockholm talks, said Stephen Biegun, Trump’s special envoy for North Korea, proposed via an unspecified third country to hold another round of talks in December.

“I cannot understand why he

spreads the so-called idea of DPRK-US relations through the third party, not thinking of can-didly making direct contact with me, his dialogue partner, if he has any suggestions or any idea over the DPRK-US dialogue,” Kim Myong Gil said of Biegun.

“His behaviour only amplifies doubts about the US.”

The statement came a day after North Korea’s State Affairs Commission, its supreme decision-making body, lashed out at planned US-South Korean military drills and warned that Washington will face a “greater threat” if it ignores Kim Jong Un’s deadline.

Death toll in Australia bush fires rises to fourAFP BURRELL CREEK, AUSTRALIA

The death toll from devastating bush fires in eastern Australia has risen to four after a man’s body was discovered in a scorched area of bush land, police said yesterday.

Three others have perished in bush fires in New South Wales (NSW), the state worst affected by a series of catastrophic fires that broke out along the eastern seaboard late last week.

Residents found the body —believed to be a 58-year-old man last seen on Friday — near the New South Wales town of

Kempsey, one of several areas hit by the fires in recent days.

More than 100 blazes were burning yesterday but a respite from tough conditions has seen the danger from many fires downgraded and residents returning to sift through the remains of their homes.

Hundreds of houses have already been damaged or destroyed and more than one million hectares (2.5 million acres) of land burnt in the blazes.

Challenging conditions were expected to flare again in Queensland and NSW at the weekend as the temperature rises and winds pick up.

A local resident walks on a farm as flames from the raging wildfires approach near the town of Taree, some 350km north of Sydney, Australia, yesterday.

Iranian refugee ‘free’ after six years in detention campAFP/WELLINGTON

An Iranian asylum seeker and award-winning author held in an offshore Australian detention camp for more than six years said yesterday he had arrived in New Zealand, and was celebrating “freedom”. Behrouz Boochani was sent to Manus Island in Papua New Guinea after fleeing Iran in 2013. He was picked up on a vessel packed with asylum seekers attempting to reach Australia from Indonesia.

The 36-year-old journalist later won the Victorian Prize for Lit-erature for a book detailing his life under Australia’s harsh offshore detention policy. “I just arrived in New Zealand. So exciting to get freedom after more than six years,” Boochani tweeted yesterday.

“Thank you to all the friends who made this happen.” Under a policy meant to deter asylum-seekers from reaching Australia by boat, Canberra has for years sent arrivals to remote Pacific camps on Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island for processing, barring them from ever resettling in Australia.

Seven dead in Indonesia bus collisionAFP BANDUNG, INDONESIA

Seven people were killed as two passenger buses collided on a busy toll road in Indonesia yesterday, authorities said.

The fatal accident, which also left 16 people injured —some seriously — happened shortly after midnight on a route in West Java that connects to the capital Jakarta.

One bus driver lost control of his vehicle, which crossed a road median before slamming into another bus travelling in the opposite direction, killing seven including its driver and injuring more than a dozen onboard, according to West Java police spokesman Tru-noyudo Wisnu Andiko.

The driver who lost control of the bus was injured, but none of his passengers were hurt. The cause of the accident was not immediately known.

China tests Mars lander for 2020 missionAFP HUAILAI, CHINA

China yesterday completed a test of its Mars exploration lander ahead of Beijing’s first mission to the red planet slated for 2020.

Beijing is pouring billions into its military-run space pro-gramme, with hopes of having a crewed space station by 2022.

The hovering and obstacle-avoidance test, which took place in northern Hebei province yes-terday, was conducted in a facility that simulated conditions on Mars.

A red platform with steel cables attached mimicked the planet’s gravity — about a third that of Earth — as the lander

descended from a tall, metal structure.

The test is “an important part” of China’s plans to land on Mars, said Zhang Kejian, director of the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

“Currently, all development work is going smoothly,” he said in a statement.

China is pushing to catch up with the United States and become a space power, with ambitions of a manned lunar landing.

Earlier this year it made the first ever soft landing on the far side of the moon, deploying a rover on the surface.

Experts said the successful landing test conducted yesterday

was key in planning the future mission.

“I’m pretty optimistic about China’s 2020 Mars exploration mission,” said Jiao Weixin, a pro-fessor at the School of Earth and Space Sciences at Peking University.

“Hovering and avoiding obstacles is very key to whether or not the probe can land safely,” added Jiao. If the landing fails, so does the entire expedition, he said.

China’s first Mars mission will focus on “orbiting and landing” on the planet, where a craft will “perform a patrol survey on the surface”, said Zhang Rongqiao, the mission’s chief designer.

Former S Korea justice minister summoned in financial probeAP SEOUL

South Korean prosecutors yesterday summoned the former justice minister as they expand an investigation into corruption al legations surrounding his family that sparked huge protests.

Cho Kuk’s questioning at the Seoul Central District Pros-ecutors’ Office came weeks after the arrests of his wife, brother and another relative over their suspected involvement in financial crimes and faking credentials to help get Cho’s daughter into medical s c h o o l a n d o b t a i n scholarships.

Cho, a reformist law pro-fessor and confidant of South Korean President Moon Jae-in, resigned as minister last month, citing the burden of the inves-tigation into his family. He has denied legal wrongdoing while apologising over the perks his daughter is alleged to have received.

The financial hub has been paralysed since Monday morning, when a demonstrator was shot during protests.

10 FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019HOME

11FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019 EUROPE

MH17 probe shows ties between Russia, Ukraine rebelsAP THE HAGUE

An international team of inves-tigators piecing together a criminal case in the July 2014 shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine said yesterday that evidence suggests links between Russia and separatists in the region were closer than previ-ously believed.

The Joint Investigation Team

issued a fresh appeal for wit-nesses and revealed details of secure communications between Russian officials and rebels in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) rebel group in eastern Ukraine.

“The JIT has information that indicates that the influence of the Russian Federation extended to administrative, financial and military matters in the DPR,” the team said in a statement, adding that contacts between Russia and the rebels

intensified in the first half of July 2014. “There was almost daily telephone contact between the leadership of the DPR and their contacts in the Russian Feder-ation,” the JIT said.

“They spoke with leaders in Moscow, near the border with Ukraine and in Crimea. Commu-nication mostly took place via secure telephones provided by the Russian security service.”

In June, the investigators announced they had charged

four people, including three Rus-sians, with murder over the July 17, 2014, downing of Flight MH17. All 298 passengers and crew on board the Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur flight were killed.

The suspects are due to go on trial in a secure courtroom near Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport in March, though they are not in custody and will likely be tried in their absence.

Russia has repeatedly denied involvement in the downing.

The team said yesterday it was looking for witnesses “who can share information about those who controlled the DPR leadership in Donetsk and com-manded the deployment of the Buk” missile system.

“The indications for close ties between leaders of the DPR and Russian government officials raise questions about their pos-sible involvement in the deployment” of the missile, the investigators said.

People walk across a flooded arcade by St. Mark’s Square in Venice, yesterday.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson interacts with pupils at a primary school during his election campaign in Taunton, Somerset, yesterday.

Protest forces Johnson to cancel campaign visitREUTERS LONDON

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancelled a planned campaign visit to a bakery in southwest England yesterday after protesters gathered outside, the BBC reported.

Johnson was due to visit the bakery in Glastonbury as part of a tour to drum up support ahead of a snap election on December 12, which he called to try and win a majority in parliament that would allow him to take Britain out of the European Union.

The BBC reported he had cancelled the visit on police advice.

Television footage showed a small crowd of protestors waiting peacefully, carrying banners and flags on a range of issues, including at least one EU flag.

Johnson’s Conservative Party did not immediately comment on the visit. The BBC subse-quently reported that Johnson diverted to a different bakery

and carried out campaigning activities.

Footage of the second visit showed Johnson shaking hands with people, but one woman also shouted “Shame on you!”

Although the Conservatives lead in opinion polls, Johnson

has endured a difficult start to the election campaign.

On a visit to northern regions of the country hit by flooding in recent days he was heckled by angry residents who felt his response to the crisis had been too little, too late.

UK’s EU commissioner to be named after pollsAFP BRUSSELS

The UK government has written to EU chief, Ursula von der Leyen, to say it will not nominate a British member to her top team before its December 12 election.

“We have written to the EU to confirm that pre-election guidance states the UK should not normally make nominations for international appointments during this period,” a UK official said yesterday.

A spokesman for von der Leyen’s European Commission transition team said she had received the letter from British authorities overnight.

Separately, EU sources said von der Leyen has had legal advice that the lack of a British commissioner will not prevent her team from taking office.

President-elect von der Leyen’s commission, made up

of herself — a German — and senior officials from 26 other member states hopes to take office on December 1.

But the 28th EU member state, Britain, plans to leave the bloc on January 31 and Prime Minister Boris Johnson is fighting an election campaign on a pro-Brexit ticket.

There had been concern in Brussels that Britain’s boycott would hold up the inauguration of the new European Union executive team.

Von der Leyen’s target date for taking office, November 1, has already come and gone, after MEPs rejected her French, Hungarian and Romanian nominees.

But three more names have been put forward to replace them and the nominees are going through parliamentary confirmation hearings.

Von der Leyen now hopes to start on December 1.

French health workers strikeFrench hospitals and health workers, who are on strike, attend a demonstration urging the French government to provide more means and more staff to overworked hospitals and emergency services, in Paris, France, yesterday.

No voting pact between Brexit Party, Tories AP LONDON

Britain’s Brexit Party has failed to reach a tactical voting pact with the ruling Conservatives, saying yesterday that it will field 300 candidates in next month’s election to force Prime Minister Boris Johnson to deliver on his promise of a clean break with the European Union.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said the party had to contest the seats in Britain’s December 12 election to keep the pressure on Johnson, rebuffing Conservative argu-ments that doing so risks splitting the pro-Brexit vote and boosts parties that want to remain in the EU. His comments came on the final day for can-didates to register.

“What we’ve got so far in this campaign is for Boris to promise to change direction, what we now have to do is to hold him to account, to make sure we get a proper Brexit, and that’s my job,” Farage told the BBC. Britain is holding a national election on December 12 because Johnson wants to secure a majority so he can take the UK out of the bloc by the next Brexit deadline of January 31. All 650 seats in the House of Commons are up for grabs.

The single-issue Brexit Party prefers to leave the EU without a deal.

Moldova forms pro-Russian minority govtAFP CHISINAU

Moldovan lawmakers yesterday approved a new minority government controlled by the Socialist Party of pro-Russian President Igor Dodon, two days after the dissolution of a pro-European government.

The former Soviet republic between Romania and Ukraine has been rocked by political crises in recent years linked to sharp divisions between pro-European parties and those who favour closer ties with Moscow.

The pro-Russian Socialist Party has only 36 lawmakers in the 101-seat parliament but managed to form a government with support from 27 law-makers of the Democratic Party led by exiled oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc.

A total of 62 lawmakers approved the new government with 47-year-old technocrat Ion Chicu as prime minister. Six of the 11 cabinet members pre-viously served as Dodon’s aides.

Dodon signed a decree on the new government and law-makers swore an oath to for-mally take power, his press service said.

New prime minister Chicu is not a member of the Socialist Party. He is an economist who has worked in senior roles in banks and major companies in Moldova and served as finance minister from December 2018 to June this year for a gov-ernment dominated by the Democratic Party.

The previous pro-European prime minister Maia Sandu took power in June but lost a vote of no confidence on Tuesday after a row over the appointment of a prosecutor general in a country known for rampant corruption.

She came to power after the formation of the first-ever coa-lition between pro-Russian and pro-Western deputies, whose aim was to push out Plahotniuc. Her coalition government with the Socialist Party resolved a three-month political crisis and was backed by the EU, the US and Russia.

Key Catalan party refuses support for Spain PremierAFP / MADRID

A Catalan separatist party whose support is key to the investiture of Spain’s new government yesterday refused to offer its backing in a blow to Socialist premier Pedro Sanchez.

For Sanchez, securing the endorsement of the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), which won 13 seats in Sunday’s election, is vital if he is to return to power by means of a majority vote in the 350-seat parliament.

But it is a risky gamble given the ongoing separatist crisis which erupted last month into mass protests after Spain jailed nine Catalan leaders over a failed 2017 independence bid, among them ERC leader Oriol Junqueras. The ERC’s response

came after initial talks with the Socialists who on Tuesday unveiled a tentative coalition deal with the radical leftwing Podemos.

“The ERC continues to take a negative position on the eventual investiture of Pedro Sanchez, given that the Socialists gave no indication they would change their repressive stance on the political conflict between Catalonia and the state,” it said.

“Without such guarantees, there is no chance the party will reassess its position.”

Sanchez said a Socialist-Podemos government would be the only option for talks on the Catalan crisis. “We are the only two parties... which support dia-logue within the framework of the constitution to resolve the political crisis in Catalonia,” he said.

Italy declares state of emergency in Venice after floodAFP VENICE

Italy yesterday declared a state of emergency for Venice after an exceptional tide surged through churches, shops and homes, causing millions of euros worth of damage to the UNESCO city.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the cabinet had approved the state of emergency and ordered the immediate release of ¤20m ($22m) in funds for “the most urgent interven-tions” in the devastated city after Tuesday’s flooding.

Despite the emergency, tourists larked around in the flooded St Mark’s Square in the sunshine, snapping selfies in their neon plastic boots and taking advantage of a respite in bad weather which has driven the high tides.

Sirens warning of fresh flooding rang through the canal city early yesterday but the water level remained low compared to Tuesday’s tide, the highest in 50 years.

Conte, who has called the flooding “a blow to the heart of

our country”, met Venice’s mayor and emergency services before jumping in a speed boat to visit businesses and locals affected by the tide.

Residents whose houses had been hit would immediately get up to ¤5,000 in government aid, while restaurant and shop owners could receive up to ¤20,000 and apply for more later, he said.

Several museums remained closed to the public yesterday.

As authorities assessed the extent of the damage to Venice’s cultural treasures, such as St Mark’s Basilica where water invaded the crypt, locals were defiant.

Many stopped for their habitual coffees at flooded bars,

drinking their espresso while standing in several inches of water.

The Locanda Al Leon hotel said its bookings had suffered from the international media coverage of the flood, with some guests cancelling their rooms

after seeing images of Venice underwater.

Tuesday’s “acqua alta,” or high waters, submerged around 80 percent of the city, officials said.

Only once since records began in 1923 has the water crept

even higher, reaching 1.94 metres in 1966. Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi arrived for a private tour of the damage sustained to the basilica, while rival leader of the Italian right Matteo Salvini was due to drop by for the same today (Friday).

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte’s cabinet has ordered the immediate release of ¤20m in funds for urgent interventions after Tuesday’s flooding.

12 FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019AMERICAS

Bolivia interim leader says Morales cannot run in next election REUTERS LA PAZ

Bolivian interim President Jeanine Anez said yesterday that exiled former President Evo Morales will not be able to take part in upcoming elections because he is barred from running for a fourth consecutive term.

Addressing a news con-ference, Anez added that Morales’ vice-president, Alvaro Garcia, would also not be allowed to run for president.

Both resigned after a damning audit on vote irregu-larities was released and the head of the influential military suggested he should quit to end unrest after the disputed October 20 election. Morales later went into exile in Mexico.

Anez did not announce a new date for election but under the constitution must call for them within 90 days of her taking office on Tuesday. Morales’

14-year socialist rule ended in violent protests and recrimina-tions after accusations of vote rigging lobbed by his supporters in the October 20 election. At least seven people have been killed in clashes between Morales’ supporters, opponents and police since protests first erupted three weeks ago.

From exile in Mexico, Morales called for dialogue to help “pacify” Bolivia, asking the United Nations and Pope Francis to help. In an interview with Spanish daily El Pais published on Wednesday, Morales said he was still legally president because his resignation had not

yet been accepted by the legislature.

International reaction to the crisis is divided. Left-wing allies echoed Morales’ allegations of a

coup and others cheered his res-ignation as good for democracy.

So far, the United States, Brazil, Colombia and the United Kingdom have recognized Anez

as interim president.Other governments in South

America such as Peru, Ecuador and Argentina have held off on recognising her.

Supporters of former Bolivian President Evo Morales holding Wiphala flags taking part in a protest, in La Paz, Bolivia, yesterday.

Russia recognises Bolivia’s Acting President Anez

AFP MOSCOW

Russia yesterday recognised Jeanine Anez as acting pres-ident of Bolivia following weeks of turmoil and the resignation of Evo Morales.

“We have taken note of the announcement that the second deputy speaker of the Senate, Mrs Anez, has taken office as interim president,” said foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

“It is clear that it is she who will be considered the leader of Bolivia until a new president is elected,” deputy foreign min-ister Sergei Ryabkov told RIA Novosti state news agency.

Zakharova added that these statements did not change Rus-sia’s official position on events in La Paz which Moscow has called a coup d’Etat.

“This is not about recog-nising what has happened in Bolivia as a legitimate process,” she said. “We condemn in prin-ciple any recourse to violent methods to settle political issues,” Zakharova added.

The situation in Bolivia “remains tense and there is a risk of further complications. Bolivia needs calm, peaceful dialogue”. The spokeswoman called on the international community to adopt a “responsible approach” and urged Russians not to travel to Bolivia until tensions lowered.

Anez, 52, was deputy senate speaker before proclaiming herself acting president on Tuesday.

She has already reiterated a pledge to “hold elections in the shortest possible time”. Bolivia has been in political turmoil since a controversial October 20 election in which Morales was awarded a fourth term as president.

Chile braces for unrest on anniversary of police shooting deathREUTERS SANTIAGO

Chile braced for another day of intense protests yesterday, with demonstrators gathering around the country to mark one year since a young indigenous man was shot dead by police in circumstances that are still under investigation.

According to fliers circulating on social media, 18 protests are planned for urban centers around Chile in the late afternoon, with more planned outside Chilean embassies abroad.

The father of Camilo Catril-lanca, a Mapuche man from the southern Araucania region which has long been in conflict with the state, appealed to people to dem-onstrate “calmly.”

“We don’t want to mourn the death of any young person, whether Mapuche or from else-where, because for us it would be to relive the pain again,” he told local radio station Cooperativa.

Camilo Catrillanca, the grandson of an indigenous leader, was shot in the head in November 2018 in a police oper-ation in a rural community near

the town of Ercilla, 480 miles (772km) south of Santiago.

The incident triggered huge protests throughout Chile. Four police offers are due to go on trial on charges of homicide and obstruction of justice later this month. The planned protests follow on from four weeks of intense unrest that started over a hike in public transport fares but have broadened to encompass grievances over low wages, the high cost of living and social inequality.

President Sebastian Pinera announced a state of emergency as violent riots took hold, then a

costly new social plan. He reshuffled his government and appealed for Chileans to sub-scribe to national accords around justice, equality and peace.

Yet still, the protests con-tinue, so far leaving 24 people dead, more than 7,000 arrested, 2,800 police and civilians injured and millions of dollars of damage done to property in looting and arson attacks, according to the government and rights groups.

The police have come under fire for their handling of the demonstrations, with medical experts saying that more than 200 protesters have suffered eye

injuries or been blinded by tear gas canisters and rubber bullets. This week, the police chief said he would fit firearms officers with surveillance cameras and deploy more human rights experts.

Ana Piquer, the executive director of Amnesty Interna-tional Chile, said Pinera should respond to the many complaints of police excesses.

“We don’t want to see any more victims of police violence anywhere in Chile, killed or seri-ously injured simply for raising their voice on social demands,” she said.

Interim President Jeanine Anez says Morales’ vice-president, Alvaro Garcia, would also not be allowed to run for president.

13FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019 AMERICAS / CLASSIFIEDS

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One dead, several injured in California school shootingAP SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA

One person was killed and several others were injured yesterday during a shooting at a Southern California high school and the student gunman was in custody, authorities said.

The shooting occurred at around 7:30 am at Saugus High School in the city of Santa Clarita, about 30 miles (48km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

Henry Mayo Newhall Hos-pital tweeted that one female patient was dead, two males were in critical condition and one male was in good condition.

It was unclear if there were any other injured. Initial reports fluctuated as high as six.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva tweeted that the suspect was in custody and was

being treated at a hospital. He said the suspect was a student but gave no further information.

Television images showed deputies swarming the school and several people being moved on gurneys.

Lines of students were escorted from the school by armed deputies.

White House spokesman Judd Deere said President Donald Trump was monitoring the reports. Saugus High School and other schools in the area were locked down.

Student Sharon Orelana

Cordova told KNBC-TV she hid under a table in a nurse’s office until officers came to get her.

“When I got out I saw this person lying on the ground... with blood all over,” she said.

Freshman Rosie Rodriguez was walking up the library stairs when she heard noises that “sounded like balloons” popping. When she saw other students running, she realized they were gunshots.

Still carrying a backpack laden with books, she ran across the street to a home, where a person she didn’t know gave shelter to her and about 10 other students.

During the more than hour they were there, students including Rodriguez called their families and texted with friends. Nobody in the house saw what happened directly.

“I just heard a lot of kids

crying. We were scared,” Rod-riguez said.

On a normal day, Rodriguez said, Saugus High School felt very safe. “We never really thought this would happen in our school,”

she said. Student Mason Peters told KCAL-TV his class heard a “distinctive sound” outside.

“And so my teacher quickly sprang to his feet, got up, locked the door, asking the students to

get the keys,” he said. “And so we like reinforced it, turned off all the lights and then we got a bunch of desks and stuff and reinforced the doors. And we all just like stayed hidden.”

A general view of first responder vehicles outside Saugus High School after a shooting at the school, in Santa Clarita, California, US, yesterday.

Former governor Deval Patrick enters crowded 2020 Democratic raceAFP NEW YORK

Former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick (pictured) joined the crowded 2020 presidential race yesterday, signaling the concern some Democrats have about the leading candidates just three months before the first primary.

The 11th-hour entry of Patrick, one of the first US African-American governors, reflects the unsettled nature of the Democratic contest and comes as billionaire busi-nessman Michael Bloomberg also considers running.

Patrick, 63, announced his bid for the White House in a 2:35-minute video posted on his

website, becoming the 18th can-didate in the Democratic pack. Nine others have already dropped out.

“They bring a richness of ideas and experience and a depth of character that makes me proud to be a Democrat,” Patrick, who is close to former President Barack Obama, said of the other candidates.

“But if the character of the candidates is an issue in every election, this time is about the character of the country,” he added. Patrick, who had said last year he wouldn’t run, this week officially entered the race by filing paperwork to join the New Hampshire primary ballot.

His change of mind high-lights anxieties among

party centrists who fear that the left-wing policies of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders will damage the Democrats’ chances of beating President Donald Trump next year.

The leading centrist in the race is former vice-president Joe Biden, but he has struggled to maintain his frontrunner status

and Democratic voters are far from uniting behind one can-didate as the clock ticks down to party primaries early next year.

Moderate Pete Buttigieg has eaten into some of Biden’s support. A poll of likely voters this week showed the mayor of South Bend, Indiana in the lead in Iowa, the first state to vote in the Democratic nominating process.

Experts say a Bloomberg candidacy could also hurt Biden. The former New York mayor has yet to officially declare that he is running for the White House but has taken formal steps to do so.

On Tuesday Bloomberg, who like Trump is a septuagenarian white New York billionaire, sub-mitted paperwork to be on the

ballot in Arkansas, four days after doing the same in Alabama.

It is unclear what sort of impact Patrick’s entry might have, with some commentators suggesting he has waited too long. He also doesn’t have the personal wealth that Bloomberg has to call upon.

Others suggested Patrick, who served two terms as gov-ernor of Massachusetts from January 2007 to January 2015, may do well in Democratic areas with primarily black voters.

Senator Kamala Harris of California and New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, two other African-American candidates in the race, are both languishing in the polls.

Patrick, born into a poor

family in Chicago before receiving a scholarship for Harvard University, signaled that he planned to run as a moderate and hoped to distinguish himself with hopeful rhetoric.

He told CBS news that he did not support Medicare for All, a comprehensive state health plan backed by Warren and Sanders. He said it must be an opt-in service and not obligatory for everyone.

Patrick, a lawyer with a track record in civil rights advocacy, said taxes should be raised for the most prosperous but “not as a penalty”. Biden leads the national polls at 26 percent, ahead of Warren at 20 percent and Sanders 17 percent, according to realclearpolitics.com.

Los Angeles County Sheriff said the suspect, a student, was in custody and was being treated at a hospital.

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BUSINESSPAGE | 16 PAGE | 16

Scholz says no need for German

stimulus after dodging recession

Walmart Q3 profits surge to $3.3bn, beating expectations

15FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019

QDB to assess state of manufacturing sector in QatarLANI ROSE R DIZON THE PENINSULA

The Qatar Development Bank (QDB) is currently working on a project which is aimed at assessing the current state of manufacturing in Qatar, an official from QDB has said

To date, there is a continuous increase in the number of man-ufacturing businesses being set up in Qatar, said Abdul Wasay (pic-tured), Economic Coordinator at QDB while talking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the Qatar Entrepreneurship Award & Conference at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Center (DECC) recently.

“Under the patronage of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), we are working on a project that assesses the current manu-facturers, and the processes that they have to go for local manufacturing and export manufacturing; identifying inefficiencies within that process, and then working to mitigate those inefficiencies when compared to other similar industries in similar markets,” he added.

According to the MoCI, about 120 new factories have been established in Qatar since the blockade, with 60 more estab-lishments expected to be com-pleted this year.

Minister of Commerce and Industry H E Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, during his speech at the recent opening of the Qatar Entre-preneurship Award & Conference, also announced the near com-pletion of the construction works for the expansion of the Small and Medium Enterprises Zone, which will provide 155 new plots of land, which aims to encourage investment in the industrial sector and enhance the ability of indus-trial companies to develop national products that meet the

needs of local markets and achieve self-sufficiency for Qatar.

Wasay added: “Manufac-turing is coming up all the time, but we’re also moving towards the service sector. Because we’ve seen the fact that some manufacturing sectors are becoming very satu-rated. And we need to move further, and promote service sectors as well”. QDB will also conduct another project that will assess Qatar’s service sectors, added Wasay.

Earlier, during his presen-tation at a workshop titled ‘Impor-tance of Financial Information and Reporting for SMEs’, at the Qatar Entrepreneurship Con-ference which concluded yes-terday, Wasay reiterated the importance of knowledge sharing

among SMEs. “We need to break the bar-

riers that create unhealthy com-petition. Things such as classifi-cation codes, documents that can benefit other players in the market, and ways to get approval from the Ministry. Why not share these kinds of information with the other players in the market. We need collaboration and knowledge sharing,” Wasay added.

Between 350 and 400 SMEs are currently registered at QDB. Local SMEs registered with QDB are matched with QDB’s partner organisations for procurement opportunities, added Wasay.

Qatar & Philippines discuss energy cooperation

H E Saad Sherida Al Kaabi (right), the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, yesterday met in Doha with the visiting Philippines Secretary of Energy Alfonso Gaba Cusi, and the accompanying delegation, who are on an official visit to Qatar. Talks during the meeting, which was also attended by Reuben Lista, the President and CEO of the Philippine National Oil Company, covered bilateral cooperation in the field of energy and ways of enhancing it.

QSE’s benchmark index gained 88.64 points last weekTHE PENINSULA DOHA

Qatar Stock Exchange’s (QSE) benchmark index gained 88.64 points, or 0.86 percent, last week when the bourse closed yesterday at 10,363.20 points.

Trading value during last week increased by 21.23 percent to reach QR1.06bn compared to QR878.34m.

Trading volume decreased by 23.20 percent to reach 333.12 million shares, as against 433.73 million shares, while the number of transactions rose by 29.48 percent, to reach 29,160 transactions as compared to 22,521 transactions.

Market cap rose by 0.67 percent to reach QR572.35bn as compared to QR568.53bn at the end of previous week.

Banking and Financial Services sector led traded value

last week with 65.46 percent of the total traded value. Indus-tries sector accounted for 13.67 percent. Consumer Goods and Services sector accounted for 6.77 percent and Real Estate sector accounted 4.97 percent.

Banking and Financial Services sector led traded volume last week with 38.43 percent of the total traded volume. Industries sector accounted for 29.15 percent. Real Estate sector accounted for 16.62 percent and Con-sumer Goods and Services sector accounted 6.53 percent.

Banking and Financial Services sector led traded number of transactions last week with 45.02 percent of the total number of transactions. Industries sector accounted for 21.64 percent. Consumer Goods and Services sector accounted for 9.07 percent and Telecoms

sector accounted for 8.40 percent.

From the 46 companies 30 ended last week higher, while 12 fell and four remained unchanged.

Qatar International Islamic Bank (QIIB) led trading value during last week accounted for 23.71 percent of the total trading value. QNB accounted for 19.75 percent and Com-mercial Bank accounted for 6.64 percent.

When compared on daily basis, the QSE index gained 85.97 points, or 0.84 percent, yesterday compared to Wednesday’s closing.

The volume of shares traded increased to 66.11 million from 64.82 million on Wednesday and the value of shares increased to QR245.67m f r o m Q R 2 0 4 . 8 2 m o n Wednesday.

Qatar Chamber participates in GCC consultative meeting to boost economic cooperationTHE PENINSULA DOHA

Qatar Chamber (QC) partici-pated in the consultative meeting between the GCC Ministers of Commerce and Industry and Presidents of Unions and Chambers held on Wednesday (November 13) in Muscat, Oman.

The meeting touched on many topics related to enhancing cooperation in industrial sector, logistic services and electronic trade and ways of achieving the GCC economic integration. It also discussed how to take advantage of the interna-tional standards applied in the developed countries, especially in the field of cars, medicines and electronics. The meeting aims at devel-oping economic cooperation

and integration among member countries for the good of their citizens and studying all constructive ideas and views with a view to broadening horizons of joint action and overcoming obstacles, as well as building bridges between the public and private sectors of the GCC countries in order to achieve directives of GCC leaders.

It also seeks the maximum possible harmony and between aspirations and efforts of the private sector on the one hand and views and directives of the GCC countries on the other hand. The Chamber delegation was headed by the Second Vice-Chairman Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba and included board members Mohamed bin Mahdi Al Ahbabi and Abdul Rahman Abdul Jalil Abdul Ghani.

The members of a Qatar Chamber (QC) delegation, which was headed by the Second Vice-Chairman Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba and included board members Mohamed bin Mahdi Al Ahbabi and Abdul Rahman Abdul Jalil Abdul Ghani, attending the GCC Consultative Meeting to enhance economic integration in the region.

Opec sees smaller 2020 oil surplus ahead of policy meetingREUTERS LONDON

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) said yesterday it expected demand for its oil to fall in 2020 as rivals pumped more despite a smaller surplus of crude in the global market, building a case for the group to maintain supply curbs when it meets to discuss policy next month.

In its last monthly report before the December 5-6 talks, the Opec said demand for its crude would average 29.58 million barrels per day (bpd) next year, 1.12 million bpd less than in 2019.

The drop in demand could encourage Opec and its allies to keep supply curbs in place when they gather in Vienna, although the report kept its 2020 eco-nomic and oil demand growth forecasts steady and was more upbeat about the outlook.

“On a positive note, signs of improving trade relations between the US and China, a potential agreement on Brexit after the UK’s general election, fiscal stimulus in Japan, and a stabilisation of the downward slope in major emerging econ-omies could stabilise growth at the current forecast level,” OPEC said in the report.

The report echoes com-ments from Opec Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo, who has said the outlook in 2020 could surprise to the upside, citing prospects for a resolution of the US-Chinese trade row and lower non-Opec-supply. Oil prices were steady after the report’s release, trading near $63 a barrel, below the level some Opec officials say they favour.

Daimler says to cut jobs to save €1bn by end of 2022AFP FRANKFURT

Daimler said yesterday it planned to cut jobs to save more than €1.0bn ($1.1bn) by the end of 2022, as the German luxury carmaker grapples with an expensive switch to greener vehicles.

The Mercedes-Benz maker has also been hit by expensive recalls, a slowing global market and a €870m fine for having sold vehicles that did not conform with legal emissions limits.

“By the end of 2022, Mer-cedes-Benz Cars plans to save more than €1bn in personnel costs. To this end, jobs are to be reduced,” the company said in a statement.

Daimler, which employs around 304,000 people worldwide, did not specify how many jobs would be slashed overall but said 10 percent of management positions would be

affected. The Sueddeutsche Zeitung last week reported, citing an email sent to staff by the group’s works council, that Daimler was to cut 1,100 man-agement jobs.

Daimler said it was being forced to reduce costs because “the expanded range of plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles is leading to cost increases that will have a negative impact on Mercedes-Benz Cars’ return on sales”.

The company said it was faced with “ongoing high investment” to conform to global emissions regulation.

Like its rivals, the Stuttgart-based firm is spending billions in the shift towards the electric, autonomous vehicles of the future. The German car industry as a whole is also confronting weaker-than-expected growth, weighed down by US-China trade conflicts and Brexit uncertainty.

16 FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019BUSINESS

Scholz says no need for German stimulus after dodging recessionBLOOMBERG BERLIN

Germany’s economy is growing slowly, but isn’t in a crisis and doesn’t need a boost from addi-tional spending, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (pictured) said after the country averted a technical recession in the third quarter.

“It is good to know that we have the strength to do something if it’s necessary. But it’s also good to know that we don’t have a crisis,” Scholz said at a Bloomberg News event in Berlin, adding the Europe’s largest economy showed resilience amid global trade tensions.

Germany narrowly dodged its first recession in almost seven years with a surprise expansion of 0.1 percent in gross domestic product in the third quarter, data showed earlier yesterday. Still, annual expansion has slowed from 2.5 percent two years ago to only around 0.5 percent this year, as trade woes, weaker global growth

and turmoil in the automobile industry weighed on the export-dependent manufacturing sector.

Waning global expansion was also evident elsewhere yesterday. Japanese growth cooled sharply in the third quarter, and China reported falling exports, slower expansion in factory output and consumption coming off the boil.

Germany’s economic slowdown had prompted increasing calls, including from the US administration and the Inter-national Monetary Fund, for Chan-cellor Angela Merkel’s government to loosen its pursue strings, espe-cially with negative interest rates creating an incentive to borrow.

If a crisis hits, Scholz said that Germany would be prepared to carry out “timely and targeted” measures, such as expanding support for unemployed people. But there “never was a special reason” for a discussion on fiscal stimulus in Germany.

Scholz and the government’s chief economic advisers have

argued that additional stimulus at a time of already expansionary fiscal and monetary policy would be counterproductive because the slowdown is mostly due to external factors, such as trade disputes.

“Looking at the German economy, which is really resilient and globally active, you have to understand there’s slower growth in the world,” said Scholz. “This has an impact on the economy in Germany. That’s obvious.”

There have been some signs recently that the economy may be through the worst of its downturn. Business sentiment appears to have stabilised, and investor con-fidence about the outlook is improving.

“We still have very high employment,” Scholz said. ”It’s slower growth but it’s not a crisis.”

Averting a recession could boost Scholz’s bid to head his Social Democratic party in a leadership election this month and weaken the argument of his detractors that the SPD, the junior partner in

Merkel’s government, should quit the coalition.

The administration has been plagued by infighting and lead-ership struggles ever since Merkel stepped down as party leader late last year. She said she wouldn’t run again after her fourth term ends in 2021 at the latest.

Her successor to lead the Christian Democrats, Defense Min-ister Annegret Kramp-Karren-bauer, has stumbled in her attempts to make a name for herself and failed to boost the party’s support in opinion polls. Last month she faced an outright rebellion by party members wanting her to step aside in the race to succeed Merkel.

Walmart Q3 profits surge to $3.3bn, beating expectationsAFP WASHINGTON

Retail giant Walmart saw profits surge in the latest quarter on an explosion in online sales and a boost from Indian retailer Flipkart, according to results released yesterday.

“The sales environment in the US continues to be positive, while internationally its softer and we’re responding appropriately,” Walmart chief Doug McMillon (pictured) said in a statement.

The world’s largest retailer’s net income jumped more than 92 percent to nearly $3.3bn in the

three months ended October 31 compared to the same quarter a year earlier, the company reported.

Total revenue rose 2.5 percent or $3.1bn, to $128bn.

This resulted in adjusted earnings per share, a key US benchmark, of $1.16, well above the median estimate of $1.09 expected by analysts.

The company now projects the full year results to be “up slightly” -- a modest improvement over its previous outlook.

US ecommerce sales surged 41 percent, including a big jump in online grocery sales.

US sales rose at Walmart and Sam’s Club, despite some impact from reduced tobacco sales, and the company saw solid

performance in China and at Walmex in Mexico.

Walmart Chief Financial Officer Brett Biggs said the company is “continuing to monitor the ongoing tariff discus-sions and are hopeful that an overarching long-term agreement can be reached.”

But sales in Britain were soft due to concerns over Brexit, while business in Chile has been impacted by civil unrest there forcing many stores to close.

The chain marked the first anniversary of the acquisition of Flipkart, which boosted interna-tional sales.

CROSSWORD

A hilarious story of a 36-year-old jobless man Push-pender, trying to find a wife and Anita who’s also looking for a husband. But there’s a catch - Anita wants to settle abroad after marriage.

MOTICHOOR CHAKNACHOOR

MALL ROYAL PLAZA

Bala (2D/Hindi) 2:00pm Sanga Thamizhan (2D/Tamil) 2:00 & 11:15pm One Piece: Stampede 4:30 & 4:30pm 41: Naalpathyonnu (2D/Malayalam) 2:30 & 11:30pm Charlie’s Angels (2D/Action) 4:45, 7:00 & 9:15pm Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil (2D/Adventure) 5:00pm Safe (2D/Malayalam) 6:30pmMarjaavaan (2D/Hindi) 7:00 & 11:30pmAndroid Kunjappan 5.25 (2D/Malayalam) 9:00pmBel Sodfe “By Chance” (2D/Arabic) 9:30pm

Charlie’s Angels (2D/Action) 11:00am, 4:15 & 9:30pmSanga Thamizhan (2D/Tamil) 11:30am, 5:30 & 11:30pm; 41: Naalpathyonnu (2D/Malayalam) 12:00, 5:30 & 11:00pm; Marjaavaan (2D/Hindi) 1:30, 6:45 & 12:00pm; Android Kunjappan 5.25 (2D/Malayalam) 2:30 & 8:30pmMotichoor Chakn (2D/Hindi) 2:45 & 8:15pm

LANDMARK

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Android Kunjappan 5.25 (2D/Malayalam) 2:00pmSanga Thamizhan (2D/Tamil) 2:15 & 11:30pm Marjaavaan (2D/Hindi) 9:00 & 11:30pmJhalle (2D/Punjabi) 2:30pmMaleficent: Mistress Of Evil (2D/Adventure) 4:30pmMotichoor Chaknachoor (2D/Hindi) 5:00pm One Piece: Stampede – (2D/English Version) 5:00pm41: Naalpathyonnu (2D/Malayalam) 6:30pmCharlie’s Angels (2D/Action) 7:00, 9:15, 11:30pm The Good Liar (2D/Drama) 7:30pm Haunt (2D/Horror) 9:30pmSafe (2D/Malayalam) 11:15pm

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ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA

Qatar’s squash hero Abdulla Al Tamimi – who gave a scare to World No.3 Tarek Momen s before going down in a third round five-game thriller to the eventual PSA World Champi-onship finalist - has set a few goals for himself in the years to come.

Getting back his ranking back is his immediate priority while winning the World Championship and to be among the top-ten player list are one the long term goals the 24-year-old has on his mind.

“My goal now is focusing on the tour-nament in London, and then have a really hard winter camp at Aspetar in December, doing altitude training, and get ready for the next season,” said Tamimi, while speaking to journalists after signing a sponsorship agreement with Al Bidda Group.

“I will try to get back the ranking that I lost due to the surgery. I went from 23 to 47. The goal is to try and get back close to that ranking,” said the Aspire Academy product, who reached the third round of the PSA World Championship in Qatar after defeating two Frenchman in the first two rounds.

“Over the long run, I want to be top 10, I want to be world champion. I feel good about it. Hopefully in the future it is coming soon,” said Tamimi, who reached an all-time career high of 23 in 2018, during which he won the Malaysian Open.

After his sterling per-formance in the ongoing World Championship, in which he two higher ranked players, and depending on his results in the next few tournaments this month, Tamimi is expected to move up a few places on the PSA ranking computer at the end of this month.

Tamimi was happy that he

is associated with a Qatari company.

“It is always good to have branding of a Qatari company. It will give me more motivation to do everyone proud in the country. Really pleased on signing an agreement today with Sheikh Suhaim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani and Al Bidda Group. And hopefully it will continue for many many years Insha Allah,” he said about the new spon-sorship agreement.

“For me, my priority is my job, for this country, make eve-

ryone proud, and do some-thing good for this country, because the country has done a lot for me. Since, I was young, especially with Aspire Academy and Squash Federation as well. So to have these companies and people, Qatari companies supporting is always a good thing. It always gives that extra motivation,” he added.

Tamimi is grateful that lot of people came to support him in all the three

matches he played during the PSA World C h a m p i -onship and during past events.

“For me I just love the support. I just l o v e t h e people, they are watching t h e i r s o n , brother, depending on how old they are. So it is always good. Some-times it puts you under pressure, but this time I was enjoying, and that’s when I perform my best. I tried not to look outside the court while I am playing. I had no idea who was watching, it was only after the match. It

worked out pretty well,” he added.

Tamimi said the support of local companies argues well for sports and sports people

“They will be supporting me financially. It means a lot coming from Qatari people and companies, it means that they care, especially because indi-vidual sports like squash don’t always have the media coverage behind them. This will create more and more coverage, which is great.”

THE PENINSULA DOHA

The FIFA Club World Cup Winner’s Trophy will go on display at Doha’s famous Souq Waqif today as Qatar’s prepara-tions to host the pinnacle of global club football in December continue.

Football fans are invited to have their photo taken with the coveted prize, which will be the centrepiece of a special event from 7:00-9:00PM. In addition to catching a glimpse of the trophy, attendees will have the chance to watch a host of cul-tural performances which showcase Qatar’s diversity and hospitality.

Commenting on the planned activities, Marketing Director of the tournament’s Local Organ-ising Committee, Hassan Al Kuwari, said: “We are proud and delighted to have been chosen to host one of the world’s most prestigious tournaments. Friday’s event marks a symbolic moment in our countdown to welcoming the champions of each of the six confederations.

“The tournament will also provide another momentous moment for the Qatari public on the road to 2022, as for the first time we welcome thousands of

club fans from all over the world to watch the games taking place here. It’s a small taste of what’s to come in 2022 – and a won-derful opportunity for the world to see what it will be like in just three years’ time.

“I encourage you all to visit

the Souq on Friday. It will be a wonderful event for all the family, and an opportunity to get a first glimpse of the trophy the teams will be competing for next month,” Al Kuwari said.

Today’s event will mark the beginning of four weeks of

activities involving the FIFA Club World Cup Winner’s Trophy, during which it will appear at various landmarks across the country, including Aspire Park, numerous malls, hotels and embassies.

The FIFA Club World Cup

2019 will kick off on December 11 and conclude on December 21. The full match schedule is available on FIFA.com.

Five teams have qualified to-date: Al Sadd SC (host country representative), Liverpool FC (UEFA), CF Monterrey

(CONCACAF), ES Tunis (CAF) and Hienghène Sport (OFC). The CON-MEBOL and AFC representatives will be confirmed on November 23 and 24 respectively.

The Last Minute Sales Phase for the FIFA Club World Cup started yesterday via FIFA.com/tickets. Tickets are affordably priced in three categories, ranging from QR25 for Category 3 tickets to the first three matchdays, up to QR400 for Cat-egory 1 tickets for the double-header comprising the third-place play-off and the final.

SPORT17FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019

Of course, that sort of performance (against Australia

A) makes you feel that you’re not naive being here and you

can really do the job.

Waqar Younis believes Pakistan’s young

and largely untested

fast-bowling attack can

cause big problems for

Australia.

The tournament will also provide another momentous moment for the Qatari public on the road to 2022, as for the first time we welcome thousands of club fans from all over the world to watch the games taking place here. It’s a small taste of what’s to come in 2022 – and a wonderful opportunity for the world to see what it will be like in just three years’ time: Hassan Al Kuwari

Brazil vs Argentina

Hungary vs Uruguay

Ecuador vs Trinidad & Tobago

FOOTBALL

TO

DA

Y’S

AC

TIO

N

FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour kicks off today

India vs Bangladesh

1st Test (World Test

Championship) in Indore

CRICKET

Al Bidda Group signs two-year sponsorship deal with Tamimi

ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA

The Al Bidda Group has agreed upon to sponsor Qatar rising squash player Abdulla Al Tamimi, it was revealed here yesterday.

Al Bidda Group Chairman Sheikh Suhaim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani and Tamimi yesterday signed the sponsorship agreement.

Speaking to journalists after signing the agreement Sheikh Suhaim Al Thani said: “It’s a sponsorship agreement with Abdulla Al Tamimi. We are proud as a Qatari company to sponsor a great Qatari player.

He has a lot of potential to become one of

the greatest players in

squash.

We decided to do the spon-sorship agreement after his great performance at the PSA Men’s

World Squash Champi-onship. We think he has a

great future to represent Qatar in big tourna-ments in a good way. We are here to support him in his

endeavours.”“The agreement is

for two years,” he added.Sheikh Suhaim was con-

fident that Tamimi will emerge as a top player in the near future.

“I am proud of him. I have known him since he was very young. In the last couple of years, I was supporting him. But after what I saw at the tour-nament, he has a great potential to become one of the top players in the coming years,” he added.

The company stepped in to sponsor Tamimi so that

he can represented the country and give his best on the squash courts.

“We don’t expect anything back from him, but what we need is Abdulla Al Tamimi rep-resent Qatar in the best way possible.”

Sheikh Suhaim was delighted that ardent Qatari fans of Tamimi, like him, got to see him at the ongoing champi-onship from close quarters.

“Most of the time, Abdulla Al Tamimi is not in Doha and is travelling for his tournaments; so you can’t watch him play live. It is only on TV. This tournament was a chance for us to see him and his performance live. So we decided after seeing his potential, his performance and how professional he is to support him. He has targets and so when he has support and sees people or a company that sup-ports him to be the best, he will give his maximum,” he added.

Al Bidda Group Chairman Sheikh Suhaim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani and Qatar rising squash player Abdulla Al Tamimi shake hands after signing the sponsorship deal in Doha, yesterday.

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matches he playedduring thePSA WorldC h a m p i -onship andduring pastevents.

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s g eat. a , t was evea ed e eyesterday.

Al Bidda Group Chairman Sheikh Suhaim bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani and Tamimi yesterday signed the sponsorship agreement.

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Qatar’s Tamimi sets sights on top-10 rank

Abdulla Al Tamimi

The Last Minute Sales Phase for the FIFA

Club World Cup started yesterday via

FIFA.com/tickets. Tickets are affordably

priced in three categories, ranging

from QR25 for Category 3 tickets to the

first three matchdays, up to QR400 for

Category 1 tickets for the

double-header comprising the

third-place play-off and the final.

The trophy will go on display at Doha’s

famous Souq Waqif today as Qatar

gets set to host the pinnacle of global

club football in December. In addition

to catching a glimpse of the trophy,

attendees will have the chance to

watch a host of cultural performances

which showcase Qatar’s diversity and

hospitality.

18 FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019SPORT

Test match cricket returns to PakistanAFP KARACHI

Test cricket will return to Pakistan after a long gap of 10 years after Sri Lanka agreed to a tour for two matches next month, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced yesterday.

The vote of confidence from Sri Lanka is hugely symbolic, as it was the attack on their team bus during a visit to Lahore in 2009 which drove international cricket away from Pakistan as the country grappled with militancy.

Six policemen and two civilians were killed while seven Sri Lankan players were injured in the attack.

For years afterwards, Pakistan hosted all its “home” games in the United Arab Emirates as foreign teams refused to visit the cricket-mad country for security fears.

But Pakistan has seen a dra-matic improvement in security in recent years, and international cricket has begun to creep back.

Minnows Zimbabwe became the first team to return Pakistan in 2015 for one-days and Twenty20s, followed by a Twenty20 series by a World XI

in 2017, a one-off T20 match against Sri Lanka later that year, and a visit by the West Indies in 2018. Sri Lanka also completed three one-day internationals and

as many Twenty20s in Karachi and Lahore last month.

But the announcement of a Test series, still the most highly regarded cricket format, is an important step -- especially when it involves Sri Lanka.

“The Test series schedule was confirmed today after Cricket Sri Lanka gave their thumbs-up... following a highly successful visit last month,” said a Pakistan Cricket Board statement yesterday. The first Test will be played in Rawalpindi from December 11-15, while the

second Test will be held in Karachi from December 19-23.

“Sri Lanka’s one-day and T20 tour not only delivered security from the top draw, but packed houses sent out a loud and clear message about the security situation in the country as well as passion for the game,” the PCB said.

“This is fabulous news for Pakistan and its reputation of being as safe and secure as any other country in the world,” added PCB director of interna-tional cricket Zakir Khan.

The PCB statement quoted Cricket Sri Lanka’s chief exec-utive Ashley de Silva as saying they were “pleased” to confirm the tour.

“We are comfortable and convinced conditions are suitable and conducive for Test cricket,” he was quoted as saying yesterday.

The two Tests will be part of the World Test Championship, which is being played between the top nine teams of the world, culminating in a final in June 2021.

A pic of the National Stadium in Karachi

(left), posted on Twitter handle @

qhussain40, and that of the Rawalpindi

Cricket Stadium, the two venues to be

used by Pakistan for the forthcoming two-

match Test series against Sri Lanka,

next month.

Shami-led pace pack puts India on top in Bangladesh TestAFP INDORE

Mohammed Shami led an inspired pace attack to give India the opening day honours after they bundled out Bangladesh for 150 in the first Test yesterday.

Shami claimed three wickets, while fellow quicks Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav took two apiece to pack off the tourists early in the final session in Indore.

India were 86 for one at stumps after Rohit Sharma was caught behind off paceman Abu Jayed for six.

Mayank Agarwal, on 37, and Cheteshwar Pujara, on 43, put on an unbeaten 72-run stand to see off the day’s play.

Agarwal survived a reprieve on 32 when Imrul Kayes dropped an easy chance at slip off Abu. Pujara looked solid in his 61-ball stay so far as he hit seven boundaries.

But it was the Indian bowlers

who stood out after Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque elected to bat on a green wicket at the start of the two-match series.

Yadav, Sharma and Shami took wickets in the morning session before Mushfiqur, who top-scored with 43, and Haque put on 68 for the fourth wicket.

Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin broke the stand after getting Mominul bowled for 37. It was his 250th wicket in home Tests, and he added to the tally by then bowling Mahmudullah for 10.

Shami ended Mushfiqur’s resistence and struck on suc-cessive deliveries to stop the Bangladesh tail from wagging.

Shami bowled Mushfiqur and then trapped new man Mehidy Hasan lbw, prompting the umpires to break for tea.

Taijul Islam then played out Shami’s hat-trick ball after the

break, but was later run out for one. Yadav cleaned up Ebadat Hossain to wrap up the innings in 58.3 overs.

At the start, Bangladesh endured three maidens before getting their first run through Imrul, but he managed just five more before becoming the first wicket.

Sharma struck in the next over to send Shadman Islam back to the pavilion, also for six runs.

Batting remained tough for Mominul and Mohammed Mithun, who was trapped lbw for 13 by Shami finding swing and seam movement.

It could have been worse for Bangladesh had India not been sloppy in the field.

India’s cricketer Mohammed Shami (right) reacts with captain Virat Kohli as they walk back to the pavillion during the first day of the first Test cricket match between India and Bangladesh in Indore yesterday.

Waqar excited by Pakistan’s fast bowlersAFP SYDNEY

Pace great Waqar Younis believes Pakistan’s young and largely untested fast-bowling attack can cause big problems for Australia in their imminent Test series as the team looks to bounce back from a poor Twenty20 campaign.

Following the retirement of Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz this year, Pakistan have brought 16-year-old Nasim Shah and 19-year-old pair Musa Khan and Shaheen Afridi to Australia, along with veteran seamer Imran Khan senior.

While Imran destroyed Australia A in Pakistan’s warm-up match in Perth this week with 5-32 in their first innings, Nasim produced eight high-quality overs in the second innings.

Younis, Pakistan’s bowling coach, said he saw enough during the match to suggest Nasim and Afridi, in particular, can shine on Australia’s hard, fast pitches.

“Of course, that sort of performance (against Australia A) makes you feel that you’re not naive being here and you can really do the job,” he said in The Sydney Daily Telegraph news-paper Thursday.

Pakistan dismissed an Australian team featuring Test aspirants Joe Burns, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft for 122 then restricted them to 91 for two in the second innings.

“All those batters have played for Australia or are knocking at the door,” added Younis.

“So getting them out early and bowling out the entire team cheaply will probably give us a very good message, that we are here for the business.

“We want to win and we want to challenge this Australian side, so there’s definitely confidence.”

The first of two Tests against Australia gets underway in Brisbane next week, with Pakistan looking to improve after losing the Twenty20 series 2-0.

Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed, who are both in the Test squad, were the only Pakistan batsmen to make an impact over the short format.

But Younis believes their batting stocks are deep enough to cope with a Test barrage from Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson.

“I don’t think Pakistan is worried about facing them or scared of any of them,” he said.

Burns earns Test recall, set to open against PakistanAP PERTH

Opener Joe Burns has been recalled to start on his home ground for Australia in the series-opening Test against Pakistan next week.

Burns, Travis Head and Cameron Ban-croft were included in a 14-man squad announced Thursday, a week before the first test against Pakistan at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Selection chairman Trevor Hohns announced the squad hours after it emerged 21-year-old batsman Will Pucovski had withdrawn from consider-ation because of mental health issues.

Pucovksi, who is yet to make his test debut, had been in selection calculation and was playing in an Australia A game against Pakistan in Perth when he notified team management of his decision.

Pucovski’s withdrawal comes less than a month after veteran allrounder

Glenn Maxwell and three-test batsman Nic Maddinson made themselves una-vailable for national selection because of mental health issues.

“By Will bravely taking this position, he will undoubtedly inspire others facing similar challenges to speak up and take positive steps towards improving their mental wellbeing,” Cricket Australia’s national teams manager Ben Oliver said of Pucovski.

The recalls for Burns and Bancroft in the squad means there’s no room for Marcus Harris. Also out since the last Ashes test are allrounder Mitch Marsh and veteran seamer Peter Siddle.

Hohns said Burns will open with David Warner at the Gabba, where he plays first-class cricket for Queensland. Burns averages 40.1 in 16 tests, including four centuries. He scored a career-high 180 against Sri Lanka in February in his last test but still missed selection for the Ashes series. “Obviously it’s his home ground

and he generally performs pretty well there,” Hohns said.

“He was desperately unlucky not to be included in the Ashes squad but we consider now is the right time for him to come back, try to form a good partnership at the top with David Warner. They know each other well, they’re good friends and left and right-handed (opening combi-nation) is pretty useful in our view.”

Head is likely to return to the middle order after being dropped for the fifth Ashes Test in England in September.

Australia will play Pakistan in Tests in Brisbane, starting next Thursday, and Adelaide, a day-night match starting Nov. 29, before a three-test series against New Zealand.

Tim Paine (capt), Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pat-tinson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner

Bangladesh 1st inningsShadman Islam c Saha b Sharma ....................6

Imrul Kayes c Rahane b Yadav ........................6

Mominul Haque b Ashwin .............................. 37

Mohammed Mithun lbw b Shami .................. 13

Mushfiqur Rahim b Shami .............................43

Mahmudullah b Ashwin ................................. 10

Liton Das c Kohli b Sharma ............................ 21

Mehidy Hasan lbw b Shami .............................0

Taijul Islam run out (Jadeja/Saha) ...................1

Abu Jayed not out ............................................. 7

Ebadat Hossain b Yadav .................................. 2

Extras (lb3, w1) ................................................4

Total (all out, 58.3 overs) .....................150Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Imrul), 2-12 (Shadman), 3-31

(Mithun), 4-99 (Mominul), 5-115 (Mahmudullah),

6-140 (Mushfiqur), 7-140 (Mehidy), 8-140 (Liton),

9-148 (Taijul), 10-150 (Ebadat)

Bowling: Ishant 12-6-20-2, Yadav 14.3-3-47-2,

Shami 13-5-27-3 (w1), Ashwin 16-1-43-2, Jadeja

3-0-10-0

India 1st inningsM. Agarwal not out ......................................... 37

R. Sharma c Liton b Abu ..................................6

C. Pujara not out ..............................................43

Total (1 wicket, 26 overs) .................. 86To bat: V. Kohli, A. Rahane, R. Ashwin, R. Jadeja, W.

Saha, U. Yadav, I. Sharma, M. Shami

Fall of wicket: 1-14 (Rohit)

Bowling: Ebadat 11-2-32-0, Abu 8-0-21-1, Taijul

7-0-33-0

Umpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA), Rod Tucker (AUS)

TV Umpire: Narendra Menon (IND)

Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)

SCOREBOARD

A file photo of Joe Burns Pic: www.cricket.com.au

ARMSTRONG VAS THE PENINSULA

Egypt’s World No.3 Tarek Momen and New Zealand’s World No.5 Paul Coll will clash in the final of the PSA World Championhip today at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.

Momem came back from a game down to overcome Ger-many’s World No.6 Simon Rösner by a 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 margin, becoming the first man since England’s Nick Matthew in 2011 to reach World Champi-onship final for a second year in a row.

Momen lost out to World No.1 Ali Farag in the final of last sea-son’s World Championship final and he will now look to go one better than his runner-up finish in Chicago, while it continues his strong form in Doha after he reached his first major PSA final in the city two years ago.

The 31-year-old, whose wife Raneem El Welily was a losing finalist in the PSA Women’s World Championship two weeks ago in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza, has won three of six matches against Coll, but did lose their most recent meeting in March’s Canary Wharf Classic final.

“I’ve been through difficult times recently, and I worked so hard in the off season. To make it here, after the few hiccups, I can’t believe it,” said Momen.

“It is amazing, but I am not done. I have been there already

and I know how it feels. The focus is to recover and to prepare myself for a big battle and to finally lift the trophy that I have always dreamed of.”

In the other semi-final Coll became the first Kiwi since 1986 to reach the final of the World Championship after he got the better of World No.10 Marwan

El Shorbagy in a thrilling five-game battle in Doha.

Coll will now look to follow in the footsteps of Ross Norman, who ended legendary Pakistani player Jahangir Khan’s unprec-edented 555-match winning run 33 years ago to lift the World Championship crown.

Coll, 27, started slowly in

each of the first three games as 2017 runner-up ElShorbagy, riding high after beating older brother Mohamed in the pre-vious round, found his range at front of the court, and the Egyptian twice took a one-game lead despite requiring treatment on a leg injury in the second game.

But the length of the match seemed to suit Coll, who is one of the most athletic players on the PSA World Tour, and he fought back to force a decider. A number of early errors from ElShorbagy set the tone for the fifth game and Coll powered through to complete an 9-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7 victory to

reach his first major PSA final. “I feel over the moon, it is a

pretty surreal feeling, but like I said yesterday, I am just going to enjoy the moment as it is, but then focus on tomorrow because tomorrow is the biggest match possible and I want to firing for that,” Coll said afterwards.

“Marwan is one of the best in the game at winning quick points and he did exactly that at the start of the first three games. I was kicking myself because my gameplan was to not let him do that. I did not feel like I was playing terrible squash, there were just a few wrong shot selections.

“I wasn’t even thinking at the end there, I was just trying to run my backside off and trying to volley as much as possible and push up the court. I had to make him work and I tried to put the pace through the roof.”

19FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2019 SPORT

Zlatan to leave LA GalaxyREUTERS LOS ANGELES

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not return to the LA Galaxy for the 2020 MLS season, the team said in a statement on Wednesday.

The 38-year-old Swedish striker tallied 52 goals and 17 assists in 53 starts for the Galaxy, the team he joined in March 2018 from Manchester United.

The charismatic Ibrahimovic, who has also played for some of Europe’s biggest clubs including Barcelona, Juventus, Paris St Germain, Inter Milan and AC Milan, said he was leaving Los Angeles on a high note.

“I came, I saw, I conquered,” Ibrahi-movic wrote on Twitter.

“Thank you @lagalaxy for making me feel alive again. To the Galaxy fans -- you wanted Zlatan, I gave you Zlatan,” he said.

“You are welcome. The story con-tinues... Now go back to watching baseball.”

Despite Ibrahimovic being the highest-paid player in the league, pock-eting $7.2m for the 2019 campaign, the Galaxy won just one playoff game in his two seasons.

The team fell to crosstown rivals LAFC 5-3 in the MLS Cup conference semi-finals last month.

He was the team’s top goal scorer both seasons and was twice named in the MLS Best XI list.

Few had expected him to return for a third season with his contract expiring at the end of the year and it is unclear what is next for Ibrahimovic, who has been linked in media reports with returns to AC Milan and Man-chester United.

“We would like to thank Zlatan for his contributions to the LA Galaxy and Major League Soccer,” LA Galaxy President Chris Klein said in a statement, which described the decision as mutual.

“Since his arrival in 2018, Zlatan has positively influenced the sport of soccer in Los Angeles. We are grateful for his work ethic and passion. We thank Zlatan for his professionalism and immeas-urable impact on the Los Angeles community and the soccer com-munity in North America as a whole.”

Atletico’s Costa may need surgery for neck injuryAP MADRID

Striker Diego Costa has a neck injury that could require surgery and sideline him for about three months.

Atlético Madrid says X-rays yes-terday show Costa has a herniated cer-vical disc. The club says he will be eval-uated by neurosurgery specialists in the next few days to decide which treatment options will be chosen.

If surgery is needed, Costa could be out for about three months.

The Brazil-born striker had been feeling discomfort in the neck and upper back area in recent days.

He played on Sunday for about 10 minutes off the bench in the team’s 3-1 win over Espanyol in the Spanish league.

Costa has two goals in 15 appear-ances this season.

Berrettini signs off with win over Thiem at ATP FinalsREUTERS LONDON

Matteo Berrettini became the first Italian to win a match in ATP Finals history as he signed off with a 7-6(3), 6-3 win over off-colour Dominic Thiem at the O2 Arena yestrerday.

The afternoon tussle was a little flat as Thiem had already sealed a place in the semi-finals after group wins against Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, while Berrettini could not progress.

But the powerful 23-year-old Berrettini, making his debut at the tournament, produced some eye-catching tennis to make sure he heads home with a morale-boosting win.

The 200 ranking points and $215,000 for the group stage win capped a stunning year for Berrettini who was outside the top 50 in January but will end the season ranked eighth.

The only other Italians to qualify for the elite season-ender were Corrado Barazzutti in 1978 and Adriano Panatta in 1975 and neither managed to win a match.

Berrettini served for the first set at 5-4 after breaking the Thiem serve to love in the previous

game, but a netted volley handed back the break.

The Italian dominated the tiebreak and grew in confidence in the second set as Thiem, suffering with a cold, failed to repeat the dazzling form he displayed when beating Djokovic in a three-set thriller on Tuesday.

A running backhand

pass gave him a break for 4-2 in the second set and he closed out the win in dominant fashion.

Despite losing yes-terday, Thiem has won the group and will be joined in the semi-finals by either Djokovic or Federer who clash for the 49th time in an evening blockbuster.

Zverev denies illegal phone use AFP LONDON

Alexander Zverev denied he was using his phone ille-gally during his ATP Finals round-robin defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas at London’s O2 Arena.

The defending champion was asked about the incident during the post-match press conference fol-lowing his 6-3, 6-2 defeat on Wednesday.

TV footage that circulated on social media appeared to show him touching something in his bag at a changeover during the match.

Rules state players cannot access any electronic devices during matches.

But Zverev, 22, insisted he did not have his phone with him on court.

When asked what he might have been touching in his bag, the German said: “I mean, a water bottle? Empty water bottle maybe?”

Zverev beat Rafael Nadal earlier in the week but his comprehensive defeat by Tsitsipas leaves his tour-nament hopes in the balance ahead of his final group match against Daniil Medvedev today.

e LA Gaallaxym’s top goal scorer both

ice named in the MLS

cted him to return n with his contractd of the year and itext for Ibrahimovic,

ked in media reportsC Milan and Man-

e to thank ibutions

y andcer,” nt

, ly influencedn Los Angeles.his work ethic ank Zlatan for

m and immeas-he Los Angeles e soccer com-America as a

REUTERS MONTREAL

Former France striker Thierry Henry has been appointed as the head coach of Montreal Impact on a two-year deal, the Major League Soccer (MLS) team announced yesterday.

The former Arsenal striker, 42, returns to a head coaching role for the first time since January when he was sacked by French Ligue 1 side Monaco.

“It’s an honour to coach the Montreal Impact and return to MLS... I’ve always kept an eye on the club and now I’m here,” Henry said in a statement.

The club said the former Monaco, Juventus, Barcelona and New York Red Bulls player had the option to extend his contract by a further year.

Henry, who retired in 2014, lasted only three months at Monaco. The World Cup winner was dis-missed in January after winning four of his 20 games in charge and with

the club threatened by relegation.He had worked before that as

assistant coach to the Belgian national team but had never been in charge of a team in his own right.

Arsenal’s top goalscorer with 228 goals in all competitions, Henry won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups at the London club in eight seasons.

He then moved to Barcelona for three seasons, winning a Champions League title along the way, and fin-ished his career at New York Red Bulls.

He scored 51 goals in 123 appearances for France and played at four World Cups, including 1998 when they won the tournament for the first time.

Henry will be presented to the media on Monday.

Impact finished ninth in the MLS Eastern Conference and 18th overall this season and dismissed coach Remi Garde in August.

They have not qualified for the MLS Cup play-offs in the previous three seasons.

Henry returns to Montreal Impact as new head coach

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

PSA Worlds: Coll, Momen set up Doha finalePSA MEN’S WORLD

CHAMPIONSHIP

Semi-finals

[2] Tarek Momen (EGY) bt [5]

Simon Rösner (GER) 3-1: 9-11, 11-7,

11-6, 11-6

[4] Paul Coll (NZL) bt [9] Marwan

El Shorbagy (EGY) 3-2: 9-11, 11-9,

8-11, 11-6, 11-7

Final

[2] Tarek Momen (EGY) vs [4] Paul

Coll (NZL), 5.30pm

Momem comes

back from a game

down to overcome

Germany’s World

No.6 Simon Rösner,

becoming the

first man since

England’s Nick

Matthew in 2011

to reach World

Championship final

for a second year

in a row.

Coll became the first Kiwi since

1986 to reach the final of the World

Championship after he got the

better of World No.10 Marwan El

Shorbagy in a thrilling five-game

battle at the Khalifa International

Tennis and Squash Complex. Tarek Momen

Paul Coll

Matteo Berrettini in action against Dominic Thiem.

RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

Asian Cup semi-finalists Qatar and the UAE were yesterday drawn together in Group A of the Gulf Cup setting the stage for an explosive rematch between the two regional football power-houses.

When the eight-team compe-tition kicks off on November 26, Asian Cup champions Qatar will be looking to add to their three Gulf Cup titles but the home side - coached by Felix Sanchez - won’t be taking any of the matches lightly, according to a team official.

Yemen and Iraq - the 2007 Asian Cup winners - are also in Group A while World Cup side Saudi Arabia, defending cham-pions Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain form Group B.

In February this year, Qatar crushed hosts UAE 4-0 in the semi-final of the Asian Cup thanks to goals from powerful strike force of Boualem Khoukhi, Almoez Ali, Hassan Al Haydos and Hamid Ismaeil.

All the four players are expected to be included in coach Sanchez’s squad for the 13-day tournament that ends on December 8.

“I cannot say that one group is easier than the other,” Ali Salat, Qatar team’s Media Director, told The Peninsula yesterday.

“It’s a tough competition in the end. The performances of the teams taking part in the Gulf Cup are close to each other’s. I am thinking it’s going to be an exciting event,” Salat added.

“We will have packed sta-diums with huge number of fans watching the teams.

“It will be another event for us to show that Qatar are the Asian Cup champions,” Salat said. “We hope we can continue with our fine performances this year,” he added.

“If you take a look at both groups, you will note that defending champions Oman are in Group B along with Saudi Arabia - which is a big team - and Kuwait who are a top side when

it comes to this championship,” he added.

“I think it is the same when you look at Qatar, the UAE and Iraq. We are playing together after a long time,” he said.

Salat said Qatar are used to playing under pressure and deliv-ering the goods in crunch matches.

“I think our players are con-fident. They have the experience to tackle such events. I believe the pressure will be on the other teams,” Salat said.

“I think the stadiums will be

full and there will be big crowds supporting the Qatar side,” he added.

The tournament has picked up immense interest after Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain on Wednesday decided to take part in the biggest regional football tournament for national teams.

Qatar, who take on Afghan-istan in a 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup joint qualifier in Tajikistan on November 19, are expected to hit the ground running after playing

16 matches this year alone. Sanchez’s young side also fea-

tured in the Cope America tour-nament in June this year to attain match practice against world’s best sides as it prepares to build a strong squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The match schedule and the number of venues will be announced next week, Secretary General of Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) Jassim Al Rumaihi confirmed at the draw ceremony yesterday.

FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA

For the GCC countries, winning the Gulf Cup is a matter of pride, and it is that competition, which brings the best out of the players, resulting in fiercely contested matches.

The tournament – which started 51 years ago – has a long history of producing exciting

battles among the regional sides, so what’s new in the 2019 edition?

According to Jassim Al Rumaihi, Secretary-General of the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF), this year’s edition – which will be played from November 26 to December 8 – will see players better pre-pared than ever due to busy international season.

“All the teams will come well prepared as all of them are com-peting in qualification for 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 Asian Cup,” Al Rumaihi said yes-terday, on the sidelines of draw ceremony for the regional tournament.

“Eight teams from different nationalities will show more per-formance. I hope this will be the best Gulf Cup tournament in

terms of level of performance,” he added.

The draw, which initially was held on October 23, was con-ducted again yesterday after Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain agreed late to play in the tournament following their refusal to take part in the event earlier on.

“All the teams competing is much better than the five teams, everybody is saying that. Eight teams from different nationalities will show more performance,” said Al Rumaihi.

Yesterday’s draw saw hosts Qatar were drawn with rivals UAE, Yemen and Iraq, with Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain forming the Group B.

“It is a fair draw. I hope we will reach the high level of standard of football in this tour-nament,” said Al Rumaihi.

The top AGCFF official also expected huge crowd turnout during all matches of the tournament.

“There will be huge crowd turnout. Not just for Qatar, this tournament means a lot to all GCC countries. It’s been here for 50 years. Everybody is happy that all the teams are participating, and as I said we will see huge number of spectators and high level of competition,” he said.

Al Rumaihi, a Qatari national, also backed the hosts to win the tournament for fourth time.

“As a Qatari, (I would say) we have a very good team, we are number one in Asia at the

moment. We have very talented players, hopefully they will show good performance. Qatar is hosting the tournament, usually when Qatar host the tournament they win. We are hoping that they are going win the title,” said Al Rumaihi.

Before confirmation from the blockading countries, the Khalifa International Stadium was the only venue to host all the matches, and Al Rumaihi said probably one more ground will be added.

“The new venue will be decided by next week. Khalifa Stadium is the main, where the opening ceremony will be held. We will see what the LOC will decide,” he said.

All the teams will come well prepared as all of them are competing in qualification for 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 Asian Cup. Eight teams from different nationalities will show more performance. I hope this will be the best Gulf Cup tournament in terms of level of performance: Jassim Al Rumaihi

SPORTPAGE | 17 PAGE | 19

Qatar’s Tamimi sets sights on

top-10 spot in World Rankings

Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic to leave LA Galaxy

Friday 15 November 2019

Qatar ready for tough matches: Official

Fierce contests expected as Qatar gears up for action

Jassim Al Rumaihi, General Secretary of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation.

Qatari and Singaporean players in action during their friendly match played at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium yesterday. Qatar won the match 2-0. Qatar’s next match will be played on November 19, against Afghanistan in the second round of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers.

We will have packed

stadiums with huge

number of fans

watching the teams. It

will be another event

for us to show that

Qatar are the Asian

Cup champions: Qatar

team’s Media Director,

Ali Salat

Secretary General

of Arabian Gulf Cup

Football Federation,

Jassim Al Rumaihi,

confirms the match

schedule and other

venues will be

announced next week.

Asian Cup champions

Qatar are in Group

A, along with Yemen

and Iraq while World

Cup side Saudi Arabia,

defending champions

Oman, Kuwait and

Bahrain form Group B.

Qatar, who take on

Afghanistan in a

2022 FIFA World Cup

and 2023 AFC Asian

Cup joint qualifier in

Tajikistan on November

19, are expected to hit

the ground running

after playing 16

matches this year alone.The groups are shown on a screen following the draw for the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup in Doha, yesterday.